Monster Hurricane IGOR in Atlantic

After a week of not making up its mind, Igor has rapidly intensified into a major Hurricane with winds of 150 miles per hour.  Igor is located in the lower right hand corner of this satellite photo with a close of IGOR and JULIA following.

The reason for this hesitation in strengthening until this past weekend is in large part due to the cooling of the atlantic in the wake of Hurricane Earl and Danielle a week and a half ago.  Below is a NASA animation showing the cooling effect hurricanes have on the water in its wake.




Forecasts have the hurricane intensifying to a category 5 in the next 24 hours with slow weakening affecting Bermuda late Friday.  Notice the curved path of the highest winds staying well offshore.

Globally, IGOR and JULIA have some of the strongest and widespread wind fields.  Check out the global wind speeds.  The southern hemisphere in its winter season features strong systems over Australia and the Southern Ocean.