>Bill becomes a Major Hurricane

After under going an eyewall-replacement cycle, which is when the inner core replenishes itself and is often a sign of an intensiifying system regrouped and formed a new eye and eyewall as the old eye shrinks inwards and then collapses, as the old eye closes in on itself, a new outer eyewall begins to form, an area of deep, powerful cumulonimbus towers are spinning around the eye indicative of the intensity and maturity of this now fully formed and dangerous hurricane.

It is moving in a west, northwest direction and is likely to continue so in the next 48 hours before a turn due north, taking it just west of Bermuda. My latest forecast calls for Bill to continue strengthening over the next 48 hour period as it encounters a favourable environment and flow in which it is embedded as well as deep, warm waters, in which case I bring my intensity forecast to catagory 4 intensity within the next 48 hour time frame. It is still possible, depending on the speed of the trough moving through the Ohio Valley and the profile and intensity of the mid-atlantic ridge whether Bill can continue more west for longer before the turn. It’s crucial as to when that more northerly turn takes place, just how close this storm can come to the East Coast. It’s very likely to keep several hundred miles offshore as computer guidance is in good agreement and consistency is favoring this scenario further. However, these are human generated and have fault, stranger things have happened.

Ana, continues to move through the islands and looks poor, despite it’s flare up of storms on the northern shore of Cuba, the actual circulation is well to the south of the convection.

Stay tuned.

-Mark