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Hurricane Irma: Visual guide Hurricane Irma: Visual guide
(2 days later)
The most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean and left at least 37 people dead there. Ten storm-related deaths have also been reported in the southern United States. The most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean and the southern US, leaving 55 people dead. Irma, at times a category five hurricane, packed winds of up to 295km/h (185mph).
Irma blasted up Florida's west coast after buffeting the city of Miami, with dangerous flooding along long stretches of coast. The storm cut a devastating trail across Caribbean countries and territories before moving up through the US states of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, weakening into a tropical depression.
Irma has broken weather records An estimated 1.2 million people have been affected.
Irma broke weather records
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.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.
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 broke 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 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.
Irma, Jose and Katia By 7 September, Irma was being followed by storm Jose, which was also upgraded to hurricane status.
Irma is being followed by storm Jose, which has been upgraded to hurricane status. Also present was Storm Katia in the Gulf of Mexico, which became a hurricane before it hit the Mexican state of Veracruz. Two people died in a mudslide caused by the extreme weather.
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. Katia, Irma and Jose, 7 September
Irma's clouds have been very, very cold Irma's clouds were 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 has generated vast amounts of rain Irma generated vast amounts of rain
The eye of the storm has been about 35 miles across and has generated "extreme rainfall". The eye of the storm measured about 35 miles across and 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 contributed to Irma's powerSea 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 green line on the map tracks Irma's path between 3 and 6 September.The green line on the map tracks Irma's path between 3 and 6 September.
Understanding the impactUnderstanding the impact
Hurricane Irma has hit many of the Caribbean's islands, and made landfall in Florida on Sunday.Hurricane Irma has hit many of the Caribbean's islands, and made landfall in Florida on Sunday.
Already hit: Places hit:
Storm surgesStorm 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.
Storm surges were caused across the south of Florida.