John Ghiorse: Hurricane Irma Update Wednesday AM

John Ghiorse: Hurricane Irma Update Wednesday AM

Irma is still a monster Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds and it continues on track moving through the Leeward Islands threatening the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Not much has changed during the past 24 hours. That is not good news. 

The forecast track and intensity have been remarkably spot on so far. That, too, is not a good thing because the long range forecast continues to bring Irma straight toward South Florida and The Keys by this weekend. Irma will eventually turn northward. 

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The big question is when and where. Again the long range models have been consistent in turning it once it nears Florida. Many slam it into the Florida peninsula forecasting it to run right up the spine of the Sunshine State, others take it just east of the Florida coast. If that happens, the rest of the East Coast is in play. At this time it is impossible to pinpoint that swivel point.

The intensity of Irma is forecast to gradually ramp down from its current Category 5+ to a 4 or 3 by the weekend but that's not much consolation. For us here in New England it is still a watch and wait situation as effects from Irma, if any at all, are still a week or more away.