Anthony formed near Snowpoint City early on February 27, becoming the earliest first named storm on record (Anthony '96 also formed on February 27, but later in the day). Shortly after being named, Anthony began to undergo rapid intensification, reaching hurricane status only twelve hours later. Early on February 28, Anthony reached major hurricane status. Later that afternoon, it reached Category 5 intensity, only 40 hours after being named, the fastest such intensification on record. It was also the first Category 4 or 5 hurricane ever observed in the area between Snowpoint City and Route 225. Anthony reached it's peak intensity of 185 mph early on February 29 and began to rapidly weaken throughout the 29th and March 1. By the afternoon of March 2, Anthony had weakened to a tropical stor