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Hurricane Irma: Visual guide Hurricane Irma: Visual guide
(about 20 hours later)
The most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean and left at least 25 people dead. Hurricane Irma has been packing winds of up to 295km/h (185mph). The most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean and left at least 28 people dead there. Three storm-related deaths have also been reported in Florida.
Officials in the US, where Irma has made landfall, have warned the storm will "devastate" either Florida or neighbouring states. Irma is now blasting up Florida's west coast after buffeting the city of Miami, with dangerous flooding along long stretches of coast.
The National Hurricane Center has issued storm surge warnings of up to 15ft (4.5m) in various locations of Florida's coast. Irma has broken weather records
Florida Keys could see storm surges of up to 10ft, while surges of between five and eight feet are expected at Tampa Bay. At its peak, Irma was a category five storm with winds topping 295km/h (185mph). According to Phil Klotzbach, research scientist at Colorado State University's Department of Atmospheric Science, Irma's top wind speeds were tied with the second-strongest maximum winds of all time for an Atlantic hurricane. Irma matches a 1935 storm in the Florida Keys, Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and Wilma in 2005.
Irma has already left the small island of Barbuda "barely habitable" and St Martin almost destroyed. It has also pummelled the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Irma is breaking weather records
At its peak, Irma was a category five storm with winds topping 295km/h - making it the strongest storm on record in the Atlantic Ocean, outside of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricanes Irma and Jose, 7 September
According to Phil Klotzbach, research scientist at Colorado State University's Department of Atmospheric Science, Irma's top wind speeds were tied with the second-strongest maximum winds of all time for an Atlantic hurricane. Irma matches a 1935 storm in the Florida Keys and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and Wilma in 2005.
Only one hurricane, Allen in 1980, has recorded stronger winds, at 190 mph, he said.Only one hurricane, Allen in 1980, has recorded stronger winds, at 190 mph, he said.
However, Irma has broken Allen's record for sustained winds. It maintained maximum wind speeds of 295km/h for longer than any other Atlantic Hurricane.However, Irma has broken Allen's record for sustained winds. It maintained maximum wind speeds of 295km/h for longer than any other Atlantic Hurricane.
Irma grew in strength over a few daysIrma grew in strength over a few days
The remnants of Hurricane Harvey, which hit in late August, could still be seen by satellite when Irma made its way across the Atlantic towards the Caribbean.The remnants of Hurricane Harvey, which hit in late August, could still be seen by satellite when Irma made its way across the Atlantic towards the Caribbean.
Irma and remnants of Hurricane Harvey, 2 SeptemberIrma and remnants of Hurricane Harvey, 2 September
Irma was just a category two storm seen here on 2 September, but soon became category three. Irma was just a category two storm on 2 September, but soon became category three.
Irma grew stronger quickly because of a combination of very warm water, high levels of mid-level relative humidity, and vertical wind conditions, meteorologists say.Irma grew stronger quickly because of a combination of very warm water, high levels of mid-level relative humidity, and vertical wind conditions, meteorologists say.
Between 2 and 5 September Irma strengthened from a category three to a category five storm, the highest possible level.Between 2 and 5 September Irma strengthened from a category three to a category five storm, the highest possible level.
It strength has varied between category five and category three in the days since. Irma, Jose and Katia
Irma is being followed by storm Jose, which has been upgraded to hurricane status.Irma is being followed by storm Jose, which has been upgraded to hurricane status.
Irma's clouds are very, very cold Also present was Storm Katia in the Gulf of Mexico, which became a hurricane before it hit the Mexican state of Veracruz, and killed two people in a mudslide.
Irma's clouds have been very, very cold
Infrared data from the Nasa-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Suomi NPP satellite on 7 September revealed very cold, very high, powerful thunderstorms stretching around Irma's northern, eastern and southern sides.Infrared data from the Nasa-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Suomi NPP satellite on 7 September revealed very cold, very high, powerful thunderstorms stretching around Irma's northern, eastern and southern sides.
Storms with cloud tops reaching very low temperatures have the capability to generate "very heavy rainfall", according to Nasa.Storms with cloud tops reaching very low temperatures have the capability to generate "very heavy rainfall", according to Nasa.
Infrared image of Irma, 7 SeptemberInfrared image of Irma, 7 September
Cloud-top temperatures at the centre of the storm were as cold as 190 kelvin (minus 83.1C/117.7F), Nasa said. Cloud-top temperatures at the centre of the storm were as cold as 190 Kelvin (minus 83.1C/117.7F), Nasa said.
Irma is generating a lot of rain Irma has generated vast amounts of rain
The eye of the storm is about 35 miles across and is generating "extreme rainfall". The eye of the storm has been about 35 miles across and has generated "extreme rainfall".
Nasa rainfall analysis of Irma's eye, 5 SeptemberNasa rainfall analysis of Irma's eye, 5 September
Nasa's rainfall analysis showed rain falling at a rate of more than 274mm (10.8in) per hour on 5 September in the solid ring of storms within Irma's eye.Nasa's rainfall analysis showed rain falling at a rate of more than 274mm (10.8in) per hour on 5 September in the solid ring of storms within Irma's eye.
The powerful storms rotating around the eye were really tall, reaching altitudes greater than 12.5km (7.75 miles).The powerful storms rotating around the eye were really tall, reaching altitudes greater than 12.5km (7.75 miles).
But the tallest thunderstorms were found south west of Irma's eye, reaching heights of more than 16.2km (10 miles), Nasa said.But the tallest thunderstorms were found south west of Irma's eye, reaching heights of more than 16.2km (10 miles), Nasa said.
Sea temperatures below Irma are warm Sea temperatures contributed to Irma's power
Warm oceans, along with wind speed and direction, are the two key ingredients that fuel and sustain hurricanes.Warm oceans, along with wind speed and direction, are the two key ingredients that fuel and sustain hurricanes.
As Irma approached Florida, it passed over waters that are warmer than 30C (86F) - hot enough to sustain a category five storm, according to Nasa scientists.As Irma approached Florida, it passed over waters that are warmer than 30C (86F) - hot enough to sustain a category five storm, according to Nasa scientists.
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico temperaturesAtlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico temperatures
The line on the map represents Irma's track between 3 and 6 September. The green line on the map tracks Irma's path between 3 and 6 September.
Irma is affecting many places Understanding the impact
Hurricane Irma has hit many of the Caribbean's islands, and made landfall on Florida Keys on Sunday. Hurricane Irma has hit many of the Caribbean's islands, and made landfall in Florida on Sunday.
Already hit:Already hit:
Storm Jose formed further out in the Atlantic behind Irma, and has been upgraded to hurricane status. Storm surges
Also present was Storm Katia in the Gulf of Mexico, which became a hurricane before it hit the Mexican state of Veracruz, and killed two people in a mudslide. US officials are still warning of the danger of storm surges.
The impact could be 'catastrophic'
The howling winds and rough seas of Irma are expected to cause widespread devastation.
The National Hurricane Center says Irma will bring "life-threatening" winds and rainfall.
Storm surge risk
Another deadly risk from hurricanes comes in the form of storm surges.
Huge volumes of water are pushed by hurricane-force winds. When they meet land, the water surges inshore at levels far exceeding normal tides.Huge volumes of water are pushed by hurricane-force winds. When they meet land, the water surges inshore at levels far exceeding normal tides.