Hurricane Norbert has intensified in recent hours and the maximum sustained wind speed is now 110 m.p.h. which puts the hurricane at the high end of Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  The slow movement of Norbert has allowed the core of the hurricane to remain over Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) near 29°C.  The input of energy from the ocean has fueled convection around the eye.  The slow motion west of Baja California may have also allowed the inner core to tighten up and the mountains of Baja may have also reduced the vertical shear.  All of these factors have produced a more intense hurricane.

The center of Norbert is about 50 miles southwest of Cabo San Lazaro.  The hurricane force winds are still offshore, but some portions of the coast may be experiencing tropical storm force winds.  It is also possible that heavy rain may be falling in areas where the wind direction is enhancing the upslope motion.

Norbert should move over cooler SSTs during the weekend.  Less energy and more stable atmospheric conditions will result in decreased convection and the circulation around Norbert should start to spin down.