After Making Debut Earlier This Week, Irene May Be Headed For The Majors

The National Weather Service says Hurricane Irene could become a major hurricane, intensifying to a Category 3 status later today.

"Over the past few hours, the satellite presentation of Irene has become quite impressive with the eye embedded within very cold cloud tops," the NWS says. "It seems highly likely that Irene will intensify to Category 3 status later today."

The impact on Connecticut and Madison is still uncertain, but it seems likely at this point that we at least may see heavy rain, strong winds and some coastal flooding at the end of this week and beginning of next week.

Impacts possible this weekend, start of next week, but unclear what those impacts will be

"There is a threat for localized flash flooding Thursday afternoon into Thursday night as showers and thunderstorms develop ahead of the approaching cold front," the National Weather Service says. "Thereafter, impacts from tropical cyclone Irene are possible this weekend and for the start of next week."

The NWS says the exact timing and nature of how Irene might affect the Connecticut shoreline is uncertain.

"But heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding could begin as early as late Saturday. Additional impacts from this system could be significant beach erosion, high surf with dangerous rip currents which could begin as early as Friday night as large swells from Irene begin to arrive," the NWS says.

For the latest updates, please check the National Hurricane Center website.

Moving west-northwest near 9 mph

As of 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, the eye of Hurricane Irene was located near latitude 21.6 north and longitude 72.9 west. To find out about how to track a hurricane,

"Irene is moving towards the west-northwest near 9 mph. A gradual turn toward the northwest is expected on Wednesday. On the forecast track, the core of Irene will move across the southeastern and central Bahamas today and over the northwestern Bahamas on Thursday," the NWS says.

Maximum sustained winds are currently near 110 mph, with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds are extending out 40 miles from the center. Tropical force winds are extending out 205 miles. "Irene is a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Strengthening is forecast and Irene will likely become a major hurricane later today," the NWS says.

Today should be another sunny day

In the meantime, the forecast for today calls for another sunny day. Here is the extended forecast for Madison as of 7 a.m.:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind between 5 and 14 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind between 11 and 14 mph.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind between 11 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: A slight chance of showers before 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: A slight chance of thunderstorms, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: Rain and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 76. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night: Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Strong and damaging winds. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny and windy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.