Hurricane Irma Evening Update (Credit: NWS National Hurricane Center, Photo Credit:NASA SPoRT

Discussion:  At 3:35 pm EDT, Hurricane Irma made its second landfall at Marco Island, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane. Hurricane Irma had a minimum central pressure of 940mb. The maximum sustained winds were recorded at 115 mph. Hurricane Irma made its first landfall at Cudjoe Key in the Florida Keys this morning at approximately 9:10am EDT.  The maximum sustained winds of Irma were recorded at 130 mph which correlates to a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale and the minimum central pressure was recorded at 929mb.  
 
 
As of the 5pm EDT update from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Irma is 5 miles N of Naples, Florida and 30 miles SSE of Ft. Myers, Florida.  Irma is moving to the north at 14mph. The National Hurricane Center has downgraded this storm to a category 2 hurricane as of 5pm EDT with maximum sustained winds of 110mph. The dangers aren’t over however, as Irma moves through the state.  Hurricane and tropical storm force winds will continue along with heavy rain, tornadoes, and storm surge in the coastal areas.  It is important to heed the warnings from the local officials in the area and stay safe!  
To learn more about other tropical cyclone events occurring from around the world, be sure to click here!

​©2017 Meteorologist Shannon Scully