Dennis becomes first hurricane...

Shortly before 22Z today, an aircraft recon mission into Dennis 
warranted upgrading it to a hurricane, the first of the season.  
Maximum sustained winds are 70kts and MSLP is 985mb.

The satellite presentation is improving hour by hour, so further 
intensification is certainly to be expected.  Hurricane Dennis will be 
affecting Jamaica tomorrow morning, then western Cuba on Friday 
afternoon.  The trek across the Gulf will take a couple days, so the 
northern Gulf coast residents should still be prepared for Sunday/Monday 
landfall.

Please visit my tropical Atlantic headquarters.