In the center ofHurricane Dorian, the eye of thestormreveals just how powerful it is.
The NationalHurricane Centersaid in a 2 pmET Sundayadvisory that Dorian was aCategory 5 stormwith sustained winds of 185 and it was moving west at 7 mph, located directly over Great Abaco Islandin the Bahamas. The storm made landfall at 12: 40 pm in Elbow Cay and is located about 185 miles east of West Palm Beach,Florida.
Air Forceand Reconnaissance Plans from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – known as the “hurricanehunters “- have been crisscrossing the” distinct eye “ofDorian, and discovered the Hurricanehas become “extremely intense with a stadium effect in the eye,” according to the NHC.
HURRICANE DORIAN, CATEGORY 5 STORM, BEARS DOWN ON BAHAMAS
“Here’s a look at what scientists call the” stadium effect “inside the #Dorian eye from @NOAA scientists, “theNHC saidonTwitter. “This happens at very strong hurricanes.”
The “stadium effect” makes the hurricane look like a bowl of a sports stadium. The effect is caused by rapidly rising air swirling through the storm and moving out of the core, causing the storm’s eye to become larger as altitude rises above the ocean surface,According to the Washington Post.
These photos provided by the National Hurricane Center show views of Hurricane Dorian Eye and the “stadium effect” in the center of the storm. (Paul Chang / National Hurricane Center)
A photo from a Hurricane Hunter P-3 Aircraft early Saturday also showed the towering eye of the storm as it was an extremely dangerous “Category 4 storm, bearing down on the northwestern Bahamas.
OFFICIALS ISSUE STERN WARNINGS AS DORIAN NEARS US: ‘TAKE THIS STORM SERIOUSLY’
The Hurricane Hunters also shared photos on Twitter of the storm’s eye at night, with some illuminated flashes from lightning inside.
Dorian is currently thestrongest hurricane on recordin the northwestern Bahamas and is projected to bring “catastrophic winds and storm surge” to the Abaco Islands.
)
“Everyone out there should take immediate shelter and not venture into the eye,”the NHC said. “These are catastrophe Hiccups are likely on Grand Bahama Island later today or tonight, and efforts to protect their lives and property should be rushed to completion. “
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
The Bahamas may experience hurricane conditions until Monday afternoon due to slow-moving storm, which is then forecast to turn sharply and skirt up the US coast, possibly staying just off Florida and Georgia on Tuesday and Wednesday and then affecting South Carolina and North Carolina on Thursday.
But forecasters warn that Dorian’s path could easily shift and bring some of the worst conditions to coastal locations.
The forecast track of Hurricane Dorian. (Fox News)
“If there is a difference in the track by miles, that’s the difference between tropical-storm-force and hurricane winds, “Fox News Senior MeteorologistJanice Deansaid Sunday on “Fox & Friends.” That’s why we have to wait for every forecast. “
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings