Hurricane Dean Upgraded To Category 2

An Air Force Hurricane Hunter plane reached Hurricane Dean today, measuring 100 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center reported this afternoon. The storm's maximum sustained winds had increased more than 10% in just a few hours.

As of about 4 p.m. ET, Hurricane Dean was located 210 miles east-northeast of Barbados and moving west at 23 mph as a Category 1 hurricane that is forecast to grow in strength as it passes over Caribbean islands before striking Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula with as much as Category 3 force. National Hurricane Center

The storm was "rapidly approaching" the Lesser Antilles with 100 mph winds, and is expected to strike early Friday. For a more complete accounting of islands in its path, click here.

Hurricane-force winds extend 15 miles from the center of the storm, and tropical storm-force winds extend 150 miles out. The National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening conditions resulting from winds, rain and flooding as Dean passes populated areas on the islands.

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