Latest from UF Meteorologist Jeff Huffman:
Irene will move through the Bahamas today as a strong category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles an hour. Irene will likely maintain this strength as a MAJOR Hurricane through tomorrow. There is a strong consensus among all forecast data that Irene will miss the Florida peninsula by over 200 miles on Friday. Impacts in Floriday will be greatest on the Atlantic Coast where a moderate storm surge and an increase in rainfall will be possible. Further inland, I continue to believe there will be little to no impact from Irene.
7:30 a.m. Aug. 24, 2011 Irene will move through the Bahamas today as a strong category 1 or 2 hurricane. Some strengthening is forecast over the next 24 hours, and Irene could be a MAJOR hurricane by tomorrow. There is a strong consensus among all forecast data that Irene will miss the Florida peninsula by over 200 miles on Friday. Impacts will be greatest on the Atlantic Coast where a moderate storm surge and an increase in rainfall will be possible. Further inland, I continue to believe there will be little to no impact from Irene.
2 p.m. Aug. 23, 2011 Irene is approaching the southern Bahamas as a Category 2 Hurricane this afternoon. Some strengthening is forecast over the next 24 hours, and Irene could be a MAJOR hurricane by Wednesday. Forecast data continues to suggest that Irene will make a more northward turn by Thursday, sparing Florida from a direct hit. Impacts will be greatest on the Atlantic Coast Thursday and Friday where a moderate storm surge and tropical storm force winds will be possible. Further inland, there will be little to no impact from Irene.