Hurricane Irma: The Latest Key Messages From The National Hurricane Center

Will Hurricane Irma head toward Long Island? Will it impact the United States at all? No one really knows yet as Irma, currently a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, remains way out in the Atlantic Ocean.

Irma does bear watching, though. It's expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours and projected paths for the storm as it gets closer to the East Coast are all over the map.

"Some weather models paint a dire picture while others are much more benign," Joe Cioffi, a meteorologist for WPIX-TV and FiOS1 News, wrote on his website Saturday night. "Clearly the uncertainty level remains very high and will continue to remain very high over the next several days until we get closer to the end of next week."

Here are the key messages from the National Hurricane Center's 11 p.m. Saturday update on Irma:

• Irma is expected to be a major hurricane when it moves closer to the Lesser Antilles early next week, producing rough surf and rip currents. Irma could also cause dangerous wind, storm surge, and rainfall impacts on some islands, although it is too soon to specify where and when those hazards could occur. Residents in the Lesser Antilles should monitor the progress of Irma through the weekend and listen to any advice given by local officials.
• It is much too early to determine what direct impacts Irma will have on the Bahamas and the continental United States. Regardless, everyone in hurricane-prone areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place, as we are now near the peak of the season.

Learn about hurricane preparedness here.

NWS images