Major Hurricane Bud

It seems like every hurricane recently that makes Category 2 also makes it to Category 3. Now it's Bud's turn. Bud is looking pretty impressive tonight after his second intensification period with 115 mph sustained winds and gusts up to 140 mph. Carlotta is looking pretty good herself, and is on the verge of hurricane status with 70 mph sustained winds. Even though it's above the current forecast intensity from the NHC, I expect Carlotta to become a major hurricane (Category 3) on Friday as well. The current rule seems to be that if it's physically possible for a hurricane to intensify, it will. Carlotta should stay just far enough south for this to prove out.

UPDATE: Bud had another overnight round of intensification, and now boasts top sustained winds of 125 MPH. This is probably about as strong as he'll get. Carlotta is now a hurricane with 85 mph winds, and now the NHC agrees with me on Carlotta reaching Category 3.