Category 4 Hurricane Bill churning out in the open Atlantic

Bill has strengthened rapidly into a potentially dangerous Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Maximum sustained winds are right now around 135mph, with higher gusts. Minimum central pressure is 945mb.

Bill is currently well to the northeast of the Leeward Islands and fortunately there's no chance of it hitting there. However, some high surf can be expected in the islands of the Caribbean as this powerful cyclone passes to the north. Bill looks very impressive on satellite imagery; a classic Cape Verde hurricane taking a typical recurving path. Right now Bermuda and the Canadian Maritimes really want to watch out for Bill, as the storm is expected to pass near or make a direct hit on either or both locations. It is unlikely to impact in the U.S. in any major way.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic nothing of note is going on, so after Bill we may have a quiet time for a little while. Remember the peak of Atlantic season is mid-September. In an El Nino year like this one, the season will probably shut down quick - it's very possible we won't get any named storms after September.

Any comments are more than welcome.