Katia grows into Category 2, could become major hurricane

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The somewhat inconsistent Katia has intensified again, this time into Category 2 status, the National Hurricane Center announced. And the storm was showing the hallmarks of becoming a major hurricane by Monday.

About midday Sunday, the storm was in the open Atlantic, north of the Leeward Islands, and moving toward the northwest, the center reported in an advisory posted on its website. It had maximum sustained winds of almost 100 mph, and was expected to grow considerably stronger.

View Forecast paths of Hurricane Katia in a larger map Katia first achieved hurricane status late Wednesday -- the second named hurricane (after Irene). It was downgraded to a tropical storm on Thursday, upgraded to Category 1 hurricane status on Friday, then downgraded to a tropical storm yet again on Saturday. On Sunday, it pulled itself together and managed Category 2 status.

Still, no coastal watches or warnings have been issued. As the hurricane center says, in a bit of an understatement: “A lot of uncertainty remains in the three- to five-day forecast. “

So for now, we watch and wait -- and keep an eye on Tropical Storm Lee, currently dumping rain on Louisiana.

And of course, continue the cleanup in the wake of Hurricane Irene. RELATED:

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-- Tami Dennis