Irma becomes a Category 3 Hurricane over Eastern Atalantic, no threat to land known yet

…IRMA BECOMES A CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE OVER THE EASTERN ATLANTIC…

August 31–National Weather Service reports Irma has become a Category 3 Hurricane over the Eastern Atlantic, but there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect as of today, Thursday, August 31.

As of 5 pm yesterday, August 30, Irma was located about 2,000 miles east of the Leeward Islands and about 3,000 miles southeast of Miami.  National media notes, it does not currently pose an immediate threat to US land and it is too early to know it’s track.

The following is a National Weather Service update at 5:00 PM AST Thursday, Aug 31 2017 regarding Hurricane Irma:

Irma has become an impressive hurricane with intense eyewall convection surrounding a small eye.  Satellite estimates continue to rapidly rise, and the Dvorak classifications from both TAFB & SAB support an initial wind speed of 100 kt.  This is a remarkable 50-ktincrease from yesterday at this time.

SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST…2100 UTC…INFORMATION

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LOCATION…17.3N 34.8W

ABOUT 720 MI…1160 KM W OF THE CABO VERDE ISLANDS

ABOUT 1780 MI…2865 KM E OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…115 MPH…185 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 12 MPH…19 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…967 MB…28.56 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

 DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK

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At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Irma was located

near latitude 17.3 North, longitude 34.8 West.  Irma is moving

toward the west-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h).  This motion is

expected to continue today, followed by a westward turn on Saturday,

and a west-southwestward motion by Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185 km/h)

with higher gusts.  Irma is a category 3 hurricane on the

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Fluctuations in strength,

both up and down, are possible, but Irma is expected to remain a

powerful hurricane for several days.