Hurricane Laura strengthens to major Category 3 hurricane

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Hurricane Laura is the first major hurricane of 2020 and could be even stronger before making landfall on the Gulf coast in Louisiana or Texas.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hurricane Laura is now a category three hurricane with sustained winds of 115 mph and will continue to strengthen as it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico towards the United States.

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, Laura has sustained winds of 115 mph with even higher gusts. Laura is currently about 280 miles south-southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The National Hurricane Center’s latest track for Hurricane Laura has it making landfall, likely as a Category 3 or Category 4 hurricane. The models are coming to an agreement about where it will come ashore, and it looks to be right along the Louisiana-Texas border.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center expect Laura to see more rapid intensification with the possibility of becoming a category four hurricane before making landfall. First Warn Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said Laura could reach maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.

Laura is expected to bring devastating storm surge and powerful winds to the Louisiana and Texas coastlines when it makes landfall. Some areas, including Galveston, Texas, could see up to 12 feet of storm surge.

#Laura has rapidly intensified overnight to 110 mph and could reach 130-140 mph today. Devastating storm surge and wind damage will occur along & east of the track in Louisiana and Texas near the state line. #lawx #txwx pic.twitter.com/0CNUjEddI6

— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) August 26, 2020

So, why is Laura forecast to strengthen? It is moving into a very favorable environment with low wind shear and very warm water.

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