As of 11:00 AM, Maria is now classified as a Major Hurricane, as she rapidly intensified over the last 18 hours, now being a Cat 3 with max sustained winds of 120 MPH. She’s currently located at 14.7°N 60.1°W and moving WNW at 10 MPH with a minimum pressure of 959 mb. The eye of Maria is expected to move through the Leeward Islands this evening. Despite that, she is expected to intensify over the next 12 hours, to a strong Cat 4.
A hurricane warning has now been issued for the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, along with Guadaloupe, Dominica, St. Kitts, Martinique, and St. Lucia.
A high pressure area to the north of Maria should maintain a WNW motion for the next three days or so. As the high begins to weaken, expect a NW to NNW turn. Maria is expected to move through the Leeward Islands in 12-24 h, the Virgin Islands in about 36 h, then cross Puerto Rico between 48-72 h.
As of 11:00 AM, a tropical storm warning has been issued for much of southern New England, regarding Jose, who will bring some bad weather and very good surfing conditions (also known as dangerous surf and rip currents). Jose will continue on track without weakening for the next 12-18 hours, before he crosses the Gulf Stream and enters cooler waters and drier air, at which time he will start to weaken.
As of 11:00 AM, TD Lee is located at 14.1N 40.6W, approximately 1115 miles W of the Cape Verde Islands with max sustained winds of 35 MPH, moving WNW.
Hunker Down! 