Nicole Becomes A Category 3 Hurricane
Hurricane Nicole
8:00 PM EDT on October 12, 2016
Location 29.6 N -66.4 W
Winds: 115 mph Gust: 135 mph
Pressure: 956 mb
Category: 3
Moving: NNE at 10 mph
Nicole has become a major hurricane tonight becoming the third major hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean for the 2016 hurricane season. Winds have increased to 115 mph with gusts to 135. This storm will continue on its NNE track for the next couple of hours then shift NE. This will bring the center of the storm near or directly over Bermuda. Given the large diameter of the eye a close passage to Bermuda has a greater chance of reaching the island. If its close enough, the entire island could experience the eyewall. A direct hit means the entire island could fit inside the eye of this storm.
The strength of Nicole as it approaches Bermuda will not change very much and major hurricane conditions are expected over the island. The entire island is under a hurricane warning and will start seeing conditions in the next couple of hours. The storm should be clear of the island by early Friday morning. Nicole will pick up speed as its meets the westerlies. The models indicate a possible stall of Nicole very far from Bermuda and should not pose a risk to land during this time.
I will update tomorrow after the passage of the eye near Bermuda.