CYCLONIC FURY

Hurricane Harvey rapidly intensified Friday into a category 4 hurricane – and is threatening to become the first category 4 hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Charley in 2004. Harvey has a very impressive structure with a well-defined eye surrounded by a ring of deep convection.

As of 9:00 p.m. CDT (10:00 p.m. EDT), Hurricane Harvey was centered near 27.9°N 96.8°W, and was moving northwestward at 8 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 115 knots (130 mph), with an estimated minimum pressure of 941 mb. The appearance of Harvey has improved during the last few hours, with a distinct eye clearing out. Landfall is imminent, and Harvey should be onshore within the next two hours, if not sooner. An Air Force Reserve Reconnaissance aircraft is currently en route to get one center pass through Harvey before landfall near Rockport, Texas. I will be back with a full update at landfall.