Gustav is now a Major Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and a minimal pressure of 955 mb! The storm has moved a bit east of the NHC track, which isn't too much of a surprise. When a hurricane goes through rapid deepening, it often jogs a bit off of its expected track while organizing its central core. This time Gustav moved a bit to the right, or east. The NHC expects Gustav to go back to its northwestward heading now that it has organized, which is reasonable. However, this little jump to east could end up being a major blow to New Orleans if Gustav does not do a little jump back...
For instance: The NHC tracks currently takes Gustav over the western portion of the Isle of Youth in Cuba. Right now, Gustav looks to track over the eastern portion. If this occurs, and then Gustav stays on a consistent track, a jump the diameter of the Isle of Youth in final position could be in order on the Louisiana coast. That type of jump would bring massive surge into the New Orleans area, which is a major problem.
For instance: The NHC tracks currently takes Gustav over the western portion of the Isle of Youth in Cuba. Right now, Gustav looks to track over the eastern portion. If this occurs, and then Gustav stays on a consistent track, a jump the diameter of the Isle of Youth in final position could be in order on the Louisiana coast. That type of jump would bring massive surge into the New Orleans area, which is a major problem.
(NOTE: I don't think this storm will make landfall east of the NHC landfall location...but something to think about.)
Yesterday at this time Gustav was a Tropical Storm with a minimal pressure of 984 mb and winds of 65 mph. In 24 hours the pressure has dropped 31 mb and winds have increased by 60 mph! This is a textbook case of rapid strengthening. In the last three hours alone the pressure dropped 10 mb! It is possible we see Gustav reach Cat 4 status before landfall in Cuba if the center of the storm misses the Isle of Youth and the pressure continues this rapid fall.
Yesterday at this time Gustav was a Tropical Storm with a minimal pressure of 984 mb and winds of 65 mph. In 24 hours the pressure has dropped 31 mb and winds have increased by 60 mph! This is a textbook case of rapid strengthening. In the last three hours alone the pressure dropped 10 mb! It is possible we see Gustav reach Cat 4 status before landfall in Cuba if the center of the storm misses the Isle of Youth and the pressure continues this rapid fall.
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