How Strong Will Dennis get??

[N2Storms]

I think a strong Cat 2 -- low end Cat 3...no data to support it other than the fact that the GOM has not produced a very favorable environment for either Arlene or Cindy...thus I don't forsee a catastrophic cane in the Gulf IMO...

[dhweather]

Cat 3, probably a weak cat 3

[soonertwister]

Unless Dennis slows considerably, which isn't forecast, I can't imagine the winds getting much higher than 110 knots. Still a storm to be feared.

Right now Dennis isn't terribly impressive, but he's not projected to track over any seriously disruptive land features, so there's a possibility he could be stronger.

But I just don't think that all the factors are here just yet for a really extreme hurricane. At least I hope so. Much of the eastern Gulf isn't all that deep, so there isn't as much cold water to mix with the warmer waters by upwelling, so that might not be as big a factor as some might imagine.

If Dennis takes no giant gulps of dry air, doesn't run into a sheared environment, and slows below 12 knots, he might get a little stronger, but at the low end of category 4 is the highest that I could imagine right now, and I think the chance of that is pretty small.

[Hurricanehink]

I would say low end Cat. 4, high end cat. 3. It is somewhat impressive now, and has great conditions ahead. IMO it will rapidly intensify tomorrow to a cat. 3, weaken over Cuba, become a Cat. 4 over Gulf, weaken before landfall to a cat. 3.

[AL Chili Pepper]

Maybe a Cat 3. You never can tell what's going to be waiting in the Gulf. I think Cat 3 before entering the Gulf, after that, .

[Swimdude]

At least a Cat 3, probably high end, and maybe Cat 4. Landfall a Cat 3.

Agree 100%

[jkt21787]

If the models are correct in developing SW shear in the GOM prior to landfall, this storm could very well landfall BELOW major status. Add dry air, then Dennis may not be much more than a nuisance.

I am very far from calling this a forecast or prediction at this point. However, the model trends of developing shear must be watched closelty. It could be a saving grace for the Gulf Coast.

Don't take what I said as advice please. Continue prepping for a major cane somewhere late this weekend or early week along the Gulf coast.