Hurricane Irene: Now a Major Hurricane

6:30pm Update Irene has strengthened further... It now has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph an a minimum central pressure of 954mb. It is currently moving toward the northwest at 12 mph. It is located 215 miles southeast of Nassau, Bahamas. Watches and warnings with the latest advisory remained unchanged.

Hurricane Irene
Category Three
Maximum Sustained Winds: 115 mph (with higher gusts)
Pressure: 957mb
Movement: West/Northwest 9 mph



According to the National Hurricane Center the eye of Irene is headed for the Crooked and Acklins Islands.  Hurricane Irene was upgraded early this morning with even additional strengthening expected throughout the day as Irene is now considered a major hurricane.

Forecasts show a gradual turn to the northwest is expected by Wednesday, but the core of Irene will begin to affect the southeastern Bahamas today and the northwest Bahamas Thursday.  The current forecast track shows Irene to move parallel with Florida's east coast, likely by that time already producing some sizable swells and rip currents, and then possibly making a landfall still as a major hurricane along the coastline of the Carolinas.  It is possible for it to continue north and move into the Northeast as either a category one or two hurricane as early as next Monday. 

The past couple of forecast models runs have actually been pushing the track a little further to the east.  A lot of just how far either west or east Irene will go depends upon how strong a couple cold fronts are that are forecast to move into the Northeast by this weekend.  As of right now, it appears as if this is going to be a *major* problem for residents along the coast.  It has been a very long time since a hurricane has hit the east coast.