Eye on Irene: Watch Out for the First Atlantic Hurricane This Season

Although Hurricane Irene doesn't have an impressive structure (e.g., an eye) at the moment, this sizable storm is forecast to stregthen to a Category 3 storm in a few days.  Models of this system (as shown above) disagree on the landfalling future of this system, but the coast of North Carolina will certainly experience effects and could be where Irene comes ashore.  Residents need to get prepared for potentially a Major (Cat 3+) hurricane.