Hurricane Paula set a modern record for fastest intensification

[malaise]

from the issuance of the first advisory to hurricane strength.

Hurricane Paula put on a respectable burst of intensification early this afternoon, popping an eye and reaching Category 2 strength. Last night and early this morning, Paula set a modern record for the fastest intensification from the issuance of the first advisory to hurricane strength, performing the feat in just 12 hours. At 1pm this afternoon, an Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft measured surface winds of 104 mph with their SFMR instrument in Paula's northeast eyewall. On the second pass through the eyewall at 2pm, the SFMR saw top winds of 85 mph, in Paula's northwest eyewall, and the pressure had dropped 1 mb in one hour. The aircraft passed through the northeast eyewall again near 3pm EDT, and found weaker surface winds, just 83 mph, compared to the 104 mph seen at 1pm. The pressure remained the same as at 2pm, suggesting that Paula is done intensifying. Paula is a small hurricane, with hurricane force winds that extend out just 10 miles from the center. The eye is very tight, with a diameter of 11 miles. The Hurricane Hunters noted something in their comments I've never seen before--the eye was more square than circular.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/article.html
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Any experts know why all these hurricanes are staying away from the GOM and turning around.

[msongs]

1. steering currents blocking entrance and pushing storms north and east instead of west nt

[Schema Thing]

2. they don't like the taste of oil