Despite encountering shear, some dry air and even the crossing of a cool ocean eddy, Michael has continued to strengthen. Just yesterday morning Michael was a tropical storm but as of this writing, he has become a 120 mph Category 3, poised to be one of, if not thee strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in Northwest Florida. Michael will be the first major to hit the Panhandle since Dennis in 2005.

Visible satellite shows a deepening ring of convection around most of the eye with improving outflow cirrus.

Latest status

https://twitter.com/StuOstro/status/1049769842310557697

https://twitter.com/TropicalTidbits/status/1049768786222612481

https://twitter.com/webberweather/status/1049810286688030721

https://twitter.com/DanLindsey77/status/1049813597902245888

https://twitter.com/philklotzbach/status/1049694671302090755

https://twitter.com/philklotzbach/status/1049663535729397760

Modelling is a good agreement on track which takes the eye ashore around Panama City as a strong Cat 3 or even a 4 between 12 noon and 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

 

Tags: florida hurricane, florida panhandle, hurricane michael