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Hurricane Irma: Visual guide Hurricane Irma: Visual guide
(about 17 hours later)
The most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean and left at least nine people dead. Irma, a category five hurricane, is 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 14 people dead. Irma, a category five hurricane, has been packing winds of up to 295km/h (185mph).
Irma has already left the small island of Barbuda "barely habitable" and St Martin almost destroyed. It is currently north-east of the Dominican Republic, heading towards Turks and Caicos. 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 accompanied by two more storms that have strengthened to become hurricanes - Katia ahead of it and Jose behind.Irma is accompanied by two more storms that have strengthened to become hurricanes - Katia ahead of it and Jose behind.
Irma is breaking weather recordsIrma is breaking weather records
Irma's 295km/h winds make it the strongest storm on record in the Atlantic Ocean - outside of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Irma's top 295km/h winds have made it the strongest storm on record in the Atlantic Ocean - outside of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricanes Katia, Irma and Jose, 7 September Hurricanes Irma and Jose, 7 September
According to Phil Klotzbach, research scientist at Colorado State University's Department of Atmospheric Science, Irma's wind speeds are 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. 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 has 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 has maintained maximum wind speeds of 295km/h for longer than any other Atlantic Hurricane.
The hurricane's winds have moderated slightly, however, at up to 165mph (270km/h).
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 seen here 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.
Irma followed by Jose, 6 September
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.
By 6 September, the hurricane was bearing down on the Caribbean, battering many island communities. By 6 September, the hurricane was bearing down on the Caribbean, battering many island communities. It continued its trail of destruction through 7 and 8 September.
It was being followed by storm Jose, which was later upgraded to hurricane status. Irma is being followed by storm Jose, which has been upgraded to hurricane status.
Irma's clouds are very, very coldIrma's clouds are very, very cold
Infrared data from the Nasa-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Suomi NPP satellite on 4 September revealed very cold, very high, powerful thunderstorms on Irma's western side.Infrared data from the Nasa-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Suomi NPP satellite on 4 September revealed very cold, very high, powerful thunderstorms on Irma's western side.
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, 4 September 04:32 local time (16:32 GMT)Infrared image of Irma, 4 September 04:32 local time (16:32 GMT)
Cloud-top temperatures at the centre of the storm were near minus 83.5C (minus 117.7F), Nasa said.Cloud-top temperatures at the centre of the storm were near minus 83.5C (minus 117.7F), Nasa said.
Irma is generating a lot of rainIrma is generating a lot of rain
The eye of the storm is about 35 miles across and is generating "extreme rainfall".The eye of the storm is about 35 miles across and is generating "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 warmSea temperatures below Irma are warm
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 approaches the Bahamas and Florida, it will be passing over waters that are warmer than 30C (86F) - hot enough to sustain a category five storm, according to Nasa scientists.As Irma approaches the Bahamas and Florida, it will be passing 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 line on the map represents Irma's track between 3 and 6 September.
Irma will hit many places Irma is affecting many places
Hurricane Irma is expected to hit many of the Caribbean's islands before reaching the US on Saturday. Hurricane Irma has hit many of the Caribbean's islands and is expected to reach the US on Sunday.
Islands already hit: Already hit:
Islands at risk: At risk:
Storm Jose has formed further out in the Atlantic behind Irma, and has been upgraded to hurricane status.Storm Jose has formed further out in the Atlantic behind Irma, and has been upgraded to hurricane status.
And storm Katia, in the Gulf of Mexico, has also been upgraded. A warning was in effect for the coast of the Mexican state of Veracruz.And storm Katia, in the Gulf of Mexico, has also been upgraded. A warning was in effect for the coast of the Mexican state of Veracruz.
The impact could be 'catastrophic'The impact could be 'catastrophic'
Officials have warned Hurricane Irma could have "potentially catastrophic" effects. 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, storm surges and rainfall.The National Hurricane Center says Irma will bring "life-threatening" winds, storm surges and rainfall.
Storm surge riskStorm surge risk
Another deadly risk from hurricanes comes in the form of storm surges.Another deadly risk from hurricanes comes in the form of storm surges.
Huge volumes of water are pushed by hurricane force winds. Where they meet land, the water surges inshore at levels far exceeding normal tides.Huge volumes of water are pushed by hurricane force winds. Where they meet land, the water surges inshore at levels far exceeding normal tides.
The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings for possible storm surges raising water levels from between 30-90cm (3-5ft) in northern Haiti and the northern Dominican Republic to between 4.5-6m (15-20ft) in the south-eastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings for possible storm surges raising water levels from between 30-90cm (3-5ft) in northern Haiti and the northern Dominican Republic to between 4.5-6m (15-20ft) in the south-eastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.