The following post is NOT an official forecast and should not be used as such. It is just the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. It is NOT endorsed by any professional institution including storm2k.org For Official Information please refer to the NHC and NWS products.
Sorry if it is a bit late for this forecast... I just figured out how to edit the new Storm2K tracking maps before posting it...
FORECASTED TRACK AND INTENSITY OF WILMA...
Wilma today has undergone rapid intensification to a Category Five storm. The pressure recently dropped before the now-occuring ERC (Eyewall Replacement Cycle) to 882 millibars, beating Hurricane Gilbert from 1988 as the lowest recorded pressure ever in a hurricane in the Atlantic Basin. The pressure has risen and Wilma has been looking less organized on imagery due to the natural ERC (Eyewall Replacement Cycle) now happening. Wilma is not yet at the Yucatan Channel, so it is possible that Wilma may strengthen slightly after the ERC (Eyewall Replacement Cycle) before entering the southern Gulf of Mexico and gradually weakening due to increasing shear before landfall; therefore, this possible restrengthening after the ERC (Eyewall Replacement Cycle) is included in the forecast, weakening Wilma to 140KT before restrengthening her slightly to 145KT before leaving the Yucatan Channel and entering the southern Gulf of Mexico. The intensity forecast at landfall is 115KT, based on the National Hurricane Center's forecasted strength at landfall and somewhat of a compromise between other forecasts. There are uncertainties on shear strength and steering strength before landfall, so the landfall intensity is set for now at 115KT.
ENTIRE INTENSITY FORECAST:
12 hours... 145KT
24 hours... 140KT
36 hours... 145KT
48 hours... 140KT
60 hours... 140KT
72 hours... 135KT
84 hours... 120KT
96 hours... 100KT (INLAND)
108 hours (EXTENDED INTENSITY OUTLOOK)... 70KT (OVER ATLANTIC OCEAN)
As for steering, the track is a compromise between the models, taking the storm just south of the Fort Myers/Punta Gorda area across the state and exiting into the Atlantic in the northern Palm Beach County/southern Martin County area from Hobe Sound south to West Palm Beach.
Wilma is expected to gradually pick up speed or continue at a similar pace to now before speeding up even further after making the gradual turn to the east-northeast.