Dean with Winds of 155 MPH...Category 5

Just to let you know, Hurricane Dean has reached Category 5 status with maximum winds of 155 mph. Gusts are to 190 mph.

Here is the bulletin from the NHC:

"HURRICANE DEAN VERY NEAR CATEGORY FIVE STRENGTH......OUTER BANDS ARRIVING ALONG THE EAST COAST OF THE YUCATANPENINSULA...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE COASTLINE OFBELIZE...ALONG THE EAST COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA FROM THEBELIZE/MEXICO BORDER NORTHWARD TO CANCUN...AND ALONG THE WEST COASTOF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA FROM SOUTH OF PROGRESSO SOUTHWARD TOCIUDAD DEL CARMEN. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTYSHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ON THE YUCATAN PENINSULAFROM NORTH OF CANCUN TO PROGRESSO.A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM WEST OF CIUDAD DEL CARMENTO VERACRUZ. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THEFOLLOWING PROVINCES OF CUBA...PINAR DEL RIO...LA HABANA...AND ISLADE LA JUVENTUD.

DEAN IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 20 MPH...32 KM/HR...AND AWESTWARD OR WEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT 24HOURS. ON THIS TRACK THE CENTER OF THE HURRICANE IS EXPECTED TOMAKE LANDFALL ON THE YUCATAN PENINSULA VERY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.HOWEVER...CONDITIONS ARE ALREADY BEGINNING TO DETERIORATE ALONG THEEAST COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA.

REPEATING THE 800 PM EDT POSITION...18.2 N...85.1 W. MOVEMENTTOWARD...WEST NEAR 20 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...155 MPH.MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...915 MB."
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There could be more makings in the tropical Atlantic as well, but I will just watch that for now and not go into detail about the prospects of another named storm soon.