Early on Sunday morning, Hurricane Dorian moved across some of the warmest waters in the Atlantic Ocean. The bathtub-like seas, combined with a relatively smooth atmosphere in Dorian's path, allowed the hurricane to intensify to 180mph, and attain Category-5 status on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Further strengthening is possible, as pressures were continuing to fall shortly before noon, Eastern.
The storm presents an immediate and extreme danger to the Abaco islands in the northern Bahamas, including the city of Freeport. In an update at 8:30am ET on Sunday, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center did not mince words, writing, "The eyewall of catastrophic Hurricane Dorian is currently reaching the Abaco Islands. This is a life-threatening situation. Residents there should take immediate shelter. Do not venture into the eye if it passes over your location."
The threats include: 200mph wind gusts, a storm surge 15 to 20 feet above normal levels, and prolonged, heavy rainfall. Additionally, the storm's very slow forward speed—only about 8mph to the west—means these conditions will affect the northern Bahamas for the next 24 to 36 hours. It will have a devastating effect over such a long period of time.
These photos were captured during a flight by Hurricane Hunters on Saturday night. U.S. Air Force Reserve Inside Dorian's eyewall, lightning lights up the storm. U.S. Air Force Reserve They flew out of Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. U.S. Air Force Reserve Their observations are essential for determining exact positioning, air pressures, and maximum wind speeds. U.S. Air Force Reserve Here's the crew who flew in the C-130J Super Hercules on Saturday night. U.S. Air Force Reserve
Dorian's forward motion has been slowing because a high pressure ridge to its north, which has been helping push it to the west, is weakening. This, in turn, will cause the storm to all but come to a stop, although some wobbles are possible that will affect its path over the next couple of daRead More – Source
