According to America's National Hurricane Centre (NHC), Irma has already reached
maximum sustained winds of up to 295 km/h, with even higher gusts. By comparison, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas with wind speeds of up to 212 km/hr. Part of the reason is that warm water is fuel for hurricanes, and
Irma is over water that is 1 degree Celsius warmer than normal.
Now that must have even the most recalcitrant deniers worried!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-06/irma-is-no-ordinary-category-five-hurricane/8877184
