There is a small chance that Ophelia could become a hurricane before landfall, which will occur about 4:30 a.m. CDT near Swansboro or Emerald Isle.
After an amazing 24 hours of strengthening that saw Lee intensify 55 mph from 75 to 130 mph and its central pressure estimate to drop from 991 mb to 953 mb, Lee may already be a Category Five hurricane.
The actual forecast from the NHC calls for it to reach Category Five status late tonight.
Tropical Depression number 14 has formed but it is not expected to be a threat to any land areas. Hurricane Lee’s eventual destination is less certain and there could be impacts to Bermuda or the northeastern coast of the U.S. or Atlantic Canada.
Lee is expected to become a powerful hurricane in coming days, and interests along the East Coast from the Outer Banks north should monitor its progress.
It is too early to tell if Lee will be a threat to the U.S. East Coast, but that potential is there. Folks in the Leewards and Puerto Rico should pay close attention to the latest forecasts.
Hurricane Franklin is buffeting Bermuda this afternoon with wind and rain.
Near hurricane force gusts will occur tonight along the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas from Savannah northward.
This will be a final call to shelter in place. Shelter like you would for a tornado.
Eyewall replacement has begun. The strengthening trend may level off now.
Idalia is nearly a category four now…
The new forecast from the NHC is now calling for 130 mph before landfall, which would make it a powerful category four hurricane.
Our long time friend, mentor, and charter Weather Factory member, J.B. Elliott, passed away on May 11, 2015. Click HERE to read James' tribute.
