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!
