Forecasters warned in an early 2 p.m. advisory that “some additional strengthening is possible this afternoon,” though Laura is expected to remain a Category 4 storm.
Update 1:50 p.m. EDT Aug. 26: Laura strengthened Wednesday afternoon to become a powerful Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, according to the NHC.
Hurricane #Laura Advisory 27A: Air Force Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Reports Laura Has Become an Extremely Dangerous Category 4 Hurricane. Catastrophic Storm Surge, Extreme Winds, and Flash Flooding Expected Along the Northwest Gulf Coast Tonight. https://t.co/VqHn0u1vgc
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 26, 2020