Strengthening Dorian Could Make Landfall At Cat 4

NPR reports:

Hurricane Dorian may reach Category 4 strength before slamming into Florida over Labor Day weekend. The second level of “major” hurricane status, a Category 4 storm has the potential to cause “catastrophic damage” according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

At least one model, as of Wednesday evening, showed a 31% chance of Dorian reaching high enough sustained maximum winds for Category 4 status by Friday afternoon.

The National Hurricane Center, which examines a wide array of models for its forecast, said in its 5 a.m. discussion that maximum winds could reach up to 125 mph in the next few days, 5 mph below what is needed to become a Category 4. That could change in the NHC’s next update.

UPDATE: 5 AM

Hurricane #Dorian now expected to be nearly Category 4 at landfall … late Monday along Florida coast near Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/98YOlnBbSZ

— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) August 29, 2019

ALL EYES ON DORIAN: Looks like Hurricane Dorian is determined to ruin Labor Day in Florida.

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/gSy8FQpUci
New update: https://t.co/k8vezIhKFK pic.twitter.com/EFGj66YMgw

— FOX 35 Orlando (@fox35orlando) August 29, 2019

The @NOAA_AOML Hurricane Hunters have departed from Lakeland, FL on their ~1,000 mile flight to meet up with Hurricane #Dorian. More recon data on the way. #HurricaneHunters pic.twitter.com/TIkHme8v6S

— Grant Gilmore WTSP (@GrantWTSP) August 29, 2019