Beautiful outflow...

[Ixolib]

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real-time/visir/atlantic/visirjava2.html

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Perfect red cdo...With black forming over the northern quad. Perfect upper level enviroment.

Yes this thing is getting stronger right now. A clear eye has formed.

[crazycajuncane]

That really is beautiful. Mother natures fury right there.

[Hurricane Cheese]

You're right on....outflow is very good for this storm. Looking at WV images, it also is in a very moist environment. SSTs are near 90s south of Cuba to the Isle of Youth. I'm wondering what we'll see when this ERC is complete?

The bigger thing is it really is starting to look like Dennis is going to start to parallel the coast a bit more than was previously thought, ie - he appears to be moving a bit more WNW now.

If that's the case, he may cross closer to where Charley did. And as we all unfortunately know, that did not stop Charley.

Next 12 hours will be interesting from an intensity standpoint...


On a sidenote, nice to see the images from my fellow Wisconsinites down there with CIMISS in Madtown! Go Bucky!

[thud15de]

Excellent Sat image! While running it at high speed at the end of the loop, do you see a WNW movement? It looks very much like it is paralleling the southern coast of Cuba. If this is indeed the case I'm curious to see if the next model runs will have that factored into them.

[crazycajuncane]

It's been WNW for the last few hours it seems. I too am waiting for the next update within the hour.

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

I know this is something that is not talked about unless its going to happen. But with the favable enviroment...Plus the outflow moving outwards...Remember Ivan developed a cdo like this one the first time it was becoming a cat5??? If this stays off shore that 90 degree water is going to bomb this. If this stays off shore theres a chance once it gets its act together to see a cat5 later this afternoon. That is not a forecast just what if???

[Hurricane Cheese]

I know this is something that is not talked about unless its going to happen. But with the favable enviroment...Plus the outflow moving outwards...Remember Ivan developed a cdo like this one the first time it was becoming a cat5??? If this stays off shore that 90 degree water is going to bomb this. If this stays off shore theres a chance once it gets its act together to see a cat5 later this afternoon. That is not a forecast just what if???

Certainly possible, although the NHC and most other forecasters never seem to go on record predicting Cat 5's to form since they're such rare events and so many things in the atmosphere must be lined up.

But indeed, this storm is starting to look a lot like Ivan did in the west-central Caribbean, and it seems to be taking more of Charley's track.

[HurricaneGirl]

That is a sweet map.. Thanks.