Face-on Spiral... of the Atlantic Kind

08/30/2004 07:00AM

Face-on Spiral... of the Atlantic Kind
Hurricane Frances in the Atlantic

Description: A quickly strengthening Hurricane Frances barrels toward the Caribbean in this Aqua (EOS PM) MODIS image from August 27, 2004.

Shown here as a Category 2 storm with winds of 90 knots (103 miles per hour), Frances quickly gained strength, vaulting into Category 4 with winds of 115 knots (1 knot = 1.1.5 mph) within 30 hours. Frances is expected to continue strengthening over the next 72 hours, and could very well become the first Category 5 storm in this Atlantic hurricane season.

Credit: Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC, Aqua satellite