Hurricane Igor 19/1530Z

Hurricane Igor is within range of Bermuda with stations and correspondents reporting hurricane force winds already. In many places the power has been out for several hours. Igor is the only remaining hurricane in the Atlantic and remains a powerful cyclone.

At 1500Z (UTC/GMT) the centre of Igor was located 135 miles (220 km) South-Southwest of Bermuda tracking North at 14 knots (26 kmh/16 mph).

Igor's eyewall has collapsed and there is considerable weakening, however it remains a Category 1 Hurricane and is forecast to remain so for the next few days. Igor has max sustained winds of 75 knots (139 kmh/86 mph) with gusts to 95 knots.

Igor should start to make another turn after passing Bermuda. It will likely accelerate in a Northeasterly direction and will begin to transition to an extra-tropical cyclone. It will continue to remain a hurricane for some time and is forecast to be at Cat 1 strength as it passes Cape Race, Newfoundland.

Bermuda weather radar at 1520Z. Image BWS (Webcam!)

Click on any image to enlarge.

Tropical Storm Off Florida Coast 100% Certain Within Day

By David Mixner
As always with tropical storms, the area of disturbed weather located currently in the Southern Bahamas is unexpectedly developing a more defined center. The result is that Tropical Storm development, according to the National Hurricane Center, is almost a 100% certainty. The storm will be either known as Bonnie or Colin. There is another area developing off the coast of Mexico and it is unclear which storm will develop first to receive which name.

The Florida storm is expected, at this time to slide through the Florida keys and head into the Gulf and much warmer waters. Oil recovery operations with the BP Spill have been halted to get workers to safety. There is a reasonable chance that this storm could be a hurricane once reaching the Gulf of Mexico. Texas/ Louisiana could be in line to see the power of this storm.