Feared intensification of a recurving hurricane has occurred. Since midnight, the lowest pressure has collapsed from 952 to 942 MB indicating Ian is now a catastrophic category-4 major hurricane. The top wind is now near 140 mph. Hurricane force wind extends to 35-40 miles from the eye. Ian will move inland near Port Charlotte later today without much change in intensity.

Based on the ECMWF guidance, Climate Impact Company projects another half-dozen tropical cyclone events in October biased toward the Western Caribbean Sea to the Bahamas. An additional 2 or 3 hurricanes is anticipated.