How Strong Will Chris Get?

[gatorcane]

I am sure we are all wondering. I am very nervous about Chris and even yesterday I disagreed with the NHCs forecast calling for only a TS through the Bahamas and straits.

I say CAT 3 before getting to the GOM is quite possible and a major hurricane in the GOM possibly reaching CAT 5 strength is also likely.....in addition he will expand quite considerably over the next few days and not remain compact.

Thoughts? I am quite worried

[Eyewall]

I say 90 mph in the Bahamas
then maxing out at 115 in the gulf

[Trugunzn]

I think probally a cat 2 before florida.

[Scorpion]

A Cat 2 or 3 is probable before hitting the Keys.

[Grease Monkey]

I say a CAT2 by the time it gets to the gulf. 140mph for it's peak intensity.

[Windtalker1]

Cat 3 major Storm hitting S Florida then Alabama once out in the gulf as a 3 again.

[Brent]

At least a Cat 2 before Florida... at least a Cat 3 in the GOM, probably stronger.

[gatorcane]

Oh my gosh, please spare South Florida

Waters are very warm, shear is light. Chris is taking the BEST possible path over the highest SSTs in the Atlantic and GOM it looks like....

wow this is not good, NOT good.

[Eyewall]

It probably wont hit mainland FL ..keys maybe...
and it wont be a cat 3.. if it was it would be showing better form now..

[Scorpion]

It probably wont hit mainland FL ..keys maybe...
and it wont be a cat 3.. if it was it would be showing better form now..

It has 3-4 days. That's a very long time to get its act together.

[cheezyWXguy]

its possible, after all, its 5 days away...

[Swimdude]

my guess is a cat. 4... Just going by what happened last year. Who knows. A cat. 5 is possible... But it's rare, despite what last year showed us.

[cheezyWXguy]

any way I say 100-115 at the keys and a peak of 150mph in the GOM

[Trader Ron]

Cat 1, staying a smidge South of Key West. Once in the GOM, it's anyone's guess.

[Eyewall]

ok ok maybe a 3
but very unlikely to hit south FL

[Cyclenall]

I think it will be a category 2 when it reaches the Florida Keys and then out in the Gulf, it could strengthen beyond category 4 if everything is in place.

[gatorcane]

It probably wont hit mainland FL ..keys maybe...
and it wont be a cat 3.. if it was it would be showing better form now..

It has 3-4 days. That's a very long time to get its act together.

It has the Gulf stream and the VERY warm waters in the Bahamas to get its act together fast - look how storms have historically blown up in the area Chris is heading for....

[Eyewall]

well its not strengthening...
1007mb
up 6, thats not showing that its on the way to a cat 3

[Eyewall]

well its not strengthening...
1007mb
up 6, thats not showing that its on the way to a cat 3

[Eyewall]

well its not strengthening...
1007mb
up 6, thats not showing that its on the way to a cat 3