Hurricane Irma taking aim at Florida

USWC's updated forecast cone for Major Hurricane Irma.

Hurricane Irma is poised to make landfall in Southern Florida sometime on Sunday. Irma is currently a category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 175mph. Irma looks to make landfall as a minimum cat 5 or very high end cat 4, in this situation, category doesn't matter as impacts will still be catastrophic either way.

Most, if not all, models have trended west today and have a SE florida landfall and then a *potential* second SC landfall.

Irma is currently undergoing an Eyewall replacement cycle as shown by recent hurricane hunter data

In very simple terms, an eyewall replacement cycle(ERC) is the hurricane replacing its inner core. What usually happens during an ERC is that winds weaken a little bit but pressure stays steady. The wind field also expands during an ERC meaning more people will likely be affected by Hurricane force winds in S FL.

Irma will likely cause catastrophic damage in Southern Florida, especially along both coasts. Please, if you are ordered to evacuate, do so sooner than later. If you are staying, stock up on supplies and if your house is crumbling, go to an interior room and put a mattress over your head. Please, if you are chasing Irma, stay safe but have fun!

Til next time - Owen