Ophelia becomes a Cat. 3 over the Northeast Atlantic!

Oct. 14, 2017 — Photos: Must-see photos of Irma damage in Jacksonville area .... hurricane Irma recap

"Ophelia" intensifies to Cat. 3! - over the far NE Atlantic....

The "Buresh Bottom Line": Always be prepared!..... City of Jacksonville Preparedness Guide... Georgia Hurricane Guide.

A strong tropical wave is to the east of the Lesser Antilles but will likely struggle to move very far to the west in the end.  So a turn more to the north can be expected through next week when some tropical development is possible.  The system will stay far to the east of the U.S.

"Ophelia" went hurricane Wed. afternoon over the Northeast Atlantic & became a Cat. 3 Sat. morning.  It's the 7th "major" hurricane of the season tied with 1933, 1961, 1964 & 2004 for the most through Oct. 14th (Phil Klotzbach)..... & it's the farthest east there's ever been a Cat. 3 or stronger hurricane.

The storm is turning sharply north & northeast & accelerating as the system merges with a cold front.  Though no longer tropical early in the week, the storm is expected to lash Great Britain & Ireland Mon.-Tue as a big ocean - extra-tropical - storm with strong winds.

Interesting map below tweeted by Erik Pindrock shows virtually all of Fl. has experienced at least tropical storm force winds this year... as well as the entire Gulf Coast... & as far north as N. Carolina on the east coast:

Deep oceanic heat content is still very evident - especially over the Caribbean & Gulf:

Sea surface temp. anomalies over/near the Gulf / Fl./ SW Atlantic:

East Atlantic IR satellite:

Mid & upper level wind shear (enemy of tropical cyclones) analysis (CIMMS).

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SE U.S. surface map:

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Surface analysis centered on the tropical Atlantic:

Surface analysis of the Gulf:

Caribbean:

Extensive hurricane Irma recap - click here.

One year ago this week - hurricane Matthew made its closest approach to Jacksonville - here.

Cox Media Group