whatcha think about this ?

[hurricanedude]

Given the fact that Irene has traversed half the atlantic with high wind shear, incredible SAL.....and cooler water temps...and yet it is still there What in the heck will she do when she reaches a favorable environment...almost scary to think about!!

[WindRunner]

That's a new way to look at it, but I'd rather not

[du1st]

If everything was going for her she could be a cat 5.

[sweetpea]

Given the fact that Irene has traversed half the atlantic with high wind shear, incredible SAL.....and cooler water temps...and yet it is still there What in the heck will she do when she reaches a favorable environment...almost scary to think about!!

That has crossed my mind a time or two over the last few days.

[gpickett00]

when were the water temps cool?

[gkrangers]

If everything was going for her she could be a cat 5.

Well..yeah...thats how hurricanes usually work...when everyone is perfect and going for them..they become very intense.

[shaggy]

my concern is growing with each advisory as it is heading for NC area as a 70knt storm but thats still a day or 2 out and it has to cross the gulfstream which is running 83-87 degrees right now so going to be a interesting week next week

[SouthernWx]

Everyone between south Florida and New England should closely monitor Irene. The overall synoptic pattern and oceanic hear content it is moving toward suggests significant intensification is likely.....possibly to a category 3 or 4 hurricane in the next several days.

While I'm not expecting another hurricane Andrew.....I won't be surprised if Irene maxes out at 125 mph or more. The odds also appear to be growing this storm will eventually impact some portion of the U.S. east coast.....why I strongly urge all coastal residents in those areas to keep abreast of the latest advisories from the National Hurricane Center:

NHC homepage
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

PW

[du1st]

Maybe Hugo.