This is one scary ass looking storm. Cat 4 going towards 5, and its still in the Atlantic. Perfectly formed eye just completely surrounded by red.
And its tracks have it missing Cuba, so there is nothing to slow it down. Indeed, its probably going to get stronger once it hits the Gulf Stream or (heaven forbid) gets into the Gulf of Mexico.
Irma is now a Cat5, and there are two more storms shaping up – one behind Irma, and one in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Both are heading towards cyclonic formation.
And Irma is looking like she may shoot right through the gap represented by the Straits of Florida:
Trump should take a few days off to spend time at his Florida properties.
There’s a lot of statistical uncertainty beyond the three-day window. Unfortunately, none of the outcomes in the 3-5 day part of the cone is ‘good.’ Cuba, the Bahamas, the Keys, and the southern third of the Florida peninsula–at least one will get battered.
Just heard that forecasters think Irma might turn sharply northward in 3-4 days, which could put Atlantic FL into the cone.
Sustained winds at 180 now. This one is to wind what Harvey was to water.
Saint John and Saint Thomas have been dear to my heart since childhood. Irma will mow them to the ground. The good news is the folks down there are smart about these storms. They will ride this out safely and rebuild, and the flora and fauna will grow back quickly.
Still, this is one of those storms that is REALLY going to hurt those beautiful islands.
I feel for everyone in the potential path.
But I selfishly hope that it doesn’t swing up anywhere near Jacksonville where I have family…
Spent several weeks in Martinique last Feb – looks it’s going to be out of the worst of it at the moment, and I know they have experience with such things, but still.
Hopefully the only thing in the eye of the storm is Mar A Lago. But, he’d probably demand taxpayers pony up.
Hmmmm…all the Evangelicals and their talk of “wrath of God”…
Perhaps God is aiming for Mar a Lago…
Saint Martin took a horrendous direct hit. 185 mph winds. Eyewall right over the island. The one tiny ray of good? Trumps had a gated 11 bedroom waterfront estate there that is as good as gonzo. Oh, and it was for sale for 16 mil. Was. Now if Irma can just mow down Mar a Lago and total the Doral. And touch nothing else. We need biblical here.