Cat 5 now?

[dhweather]

Latest IR loop, Frances looks *extremely* impressive.

Great symmetry, cold tops, she's got to be close to cat 5 right now.

[PurdueWx80]

I was expecting another vortex message as their RECCO obs showed another pass through the eye. If they don't post it I'm sure we'll hear about it at 5. The eye has contracted a bit and is almost completely clear. I, too, think a Cat 5 is possible within the next 12 hours.

[Lowpressure]

NHC becomes very tough in assigning that magical 155mph. I think we will see 150, upper cat 4. On the other hand, they have said several times she may be a 5 at some point, this is the opportunity to make it so to verify the forecast.

[Josephine96]

It could very well indeed be a Cat 5 or approaching Cat 5 status.. She's beautiful as she approaches.. but will be a nightmare when she arrives

[hurricane_lover]

Cat 5 when she hits between Charleston and myrtle Beach or will she lessen by then?

That is the only question left to answer.

[dhweather]

There is indeed a beauty to these systems
in satellite and radar imagery.

As you pointed out, at landfall, there will be catastrophic destruction.

[HurricaneBill]

Even if flight winds did indicate surface winds are Category 5, they'd probably classify it as a cat 4 because the pressure would be too high.

Although last year, Isabel still was classified as a Category 5 when her pressure was 938 mb. (This was during her second time as a Cat 5)

Sometimes, the pressure will plunge and it'll take time for the winds to catch up. Examples: Gloria 1985, Opal 1995, Isidore 2002

If based on pressure, Gloria and Opal should have been cat 5 hurricanes and Isidore should have been a Cat 4. However, the winds are what determines whether a storm is a 5 or not.

Although I think Opal got down to 918 mb. I think Opal should have briefly been classified as a Cat 5. Probably was for an hour or two.

I think the closest a hurricane has come to being a 5 but not making it was Floyd in 1999. Sustained winds of 155 mph and a pressure of 921 mb.

Storms with Cat 5 pressures but Cat 4 winds:
Gloria 1985 145 mph 920 mb
Opal 1995 150 mph 918 mb

[rtd2]

latest I seen is 939 anybody got latest vortex? I would be hard too justify cat 5 unless pressures below 935 But as bill stated its happened

[MGC]

Not a Cat 5 yet. Pressure still too high and with such a big eye. If the eye starts contracting then Cat 5 a possibility.....MGC

[ColinD]

To get to 160 mph sustained would probably take about just another 20mb drop in pressure which would match the saffir simpson scale threshold for a category 5.