Hurricane Irma: What we know Sunday (3)
From NOLA
Despite its shifting strengths, Irma is roundly expected by forecasters to be a very powerful storm. Previously, the National Hurricane Center has said models show Irma may grow into “an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane.”
In an advisory issued at 4 a.m. Sunday, the Hurricane Center said warming seas and moistening skies likely will let Irma strengthen over the next 72 hours, with “a peak in intensity” possible on Tuesday.
Where Irma might goIn its 4 a.m. advisory, the Hurricane Center said Irma was “likely to continue” following its west-southwest trajectory over the next 36 hours. Then, modeling shows Irma curving into a west northwest track
When Irma makes that turn could mean the difference between peeling away into the Atlantic Ocean or taking aim at land masses in the Caribbean and on the U.S. East Coast. Jeff Weber, a meteorologist at the University Corp. for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, said Friday that Irma was tracking along the bottom of a high-pressure zone known as the “Bermuda high.”
Irma’s ultimate path appears dependent on how long the Bermuda high keeps the storm to the south before allowing Irma to veer northwest, Weber said Friday. And how long the Bermuda high holds its position appears dependent on how the high interacts with a jet stream issuing from the Pacific Ocean and steering east across the top of North America.
Last week, Weber said Irma’s track likely would not become clearer until after Labor Day. As of Sunday at 4 a.m., the hurricane center seemed to agree.
“It is much too early to determine what direct impacts Irma will have on the Bahamas and the continental United States,” the Hurricane Center’s advisory states. “Regardless, everyone in hurricane-prone areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place, as we are now near the peak of the season.”
No hurricane watches have been issued yet, but the Hurricane Center is urging people in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles to get ready for Irma’s potential approach.
“Irma is expected to be a major hurricane when it moves closer to the Lesser Antilles over the next few days, producing rough surf and rip currents,” the Hurricane Center’sadvisory said. “Irma could also cause dangerous wind, storm surge and rainfall impacts on some islands, although it is too soon to specify where and when those hazards could occur.”
While Irma has been the focus of forecasters in recent days, another tropical system appears to be brewing off the west coast of Africa. This system, existing currently as a tropical wave, has a 60 percent chance of forming into a tropical depression or storm over the next five days, according to the Hurricane Center.
Related:
MIAMI – Irma moving westward across the Atlantic as a small hurricane
From Caribbean News Service
The National Hurricane Centre says interests in the northern Leeward Islands should continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Irma.
At 11 a.m [Sep 2]., the eye of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 18.8 North, longitude 43.3 West. Irma is moving toward the west near 15 mph (24 km/h) and a turn toward the west-southwest at a slightly slower rate of speed during the next two days.
Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Irma is a small hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 973 mb (28.74 inches).
For more on this story go to: https://caribbeannewsservice.com/now/miami-irma-moving-westward-across-the-atlantic-as-a-small-hurricane/
