Ioke: First-Ever Category 5 Central Pacific Hurricane

UPDATE: I didn't realize it when I first posted, but this is the first storm to have formed in the Central Pacific to reach Category 5. All the previous Category 5 storms in the Central Pacific (between 140 W and 180 longitude) have drifted there from somewhere else. The 921 mb pressure is also a record low.

Ioke has become a pretty impressive storm, with 160 mph winds, and a central pressure of 921 mb. After all, this is the Central Pacific we're talking about, and the storm can go hundreds of miles without getting near anyone. Right now there's very little to stop Ioke, and I expect the only thing that would take her below Category 5 in the next week or so would be an eyewall replacement cycle. There's no land to make landfall or to cut off moisture or circulation for the storm, and shear will remain low for now, and category 5 storms tend to create their own upper level environment that acts as a shield against shear anyway. Ioke will be around for quite a while, even when she becomes Typhoon Ioke soon.

Tropical Depression 5 is now at its make or break stage. Shear is as high as it's going to get in front of the depression. I expect this cyclone to be either completely gone or a strengthening Tropical Storm Ernesto 36 hours from now. If Ernesto survives, look out, because the conditions further along are very good for strengthening. It's not too early for people in long-evacuation-time areas like the Florida Keys to make final checks of their hurricane preparations. You may have to put your emergency plans into effect in another few days, depending on the track of this storm.