Hurricane Irma has strengthened into a dangerous Category 5 hurricane as it bears down on the Leeward Islands and will rake through the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispañola, the Bahamas, and Cuba before posing a serious threat to Florida and parts of the Southeast beginning this weekend.

(MORE: Hurricane Central)

Below is everything we know about Irma right now, including its latest status, along with potential forecast impacts in the U.S. and the Caribbean Islands.

Irma’s Latest Status, Timing

The center of Irma is located just under 300 miles east of the Leeward Islands and is moving westward at about 15 mph.

Irma’s maximum sustained winds have increased to 175 mph based on data from NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft. Based on wind speed, Irma is the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Felix and Dean in 2007 which also had maximum sustained winds of 175 mph.

Additionally, Irma is just the 17th Atlantic hurricane to have maximum sustained winds of 175 mph or greater, according to Dr. Phil Klotzbach, a tropical scientist at Colorado State University.

(LATEST NEWS: Florida Governor Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Possible Hurricane Irma Strike)

Current Storm Status

The highest cloud tops, corresponding to the most vigorous convection, are shown in the brightest red colors. Clustering, deep convection around the center is a sign of a healthy tropical cyclone.

Hurricane warnings have been issued for the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. This includes Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Vieques, and Culebra.

Additionally, both a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning have been issued for Guadeloupe, and a tropical storm warning is in effect for Dominica.

A hurricane watch is also now in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic, from Cabo Engano to the Haiti border.

Watches and Warnings

A watch means hurricane or tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours. A warning means those conditions are expected within 36 hours.

Low wind shear, increased mid-level moisture and ample oceanic-heat content favor that Irma will remain a powerful hurricane (Category 3 or stronger) for the next several days, though some intensity fluctuations are likely at times.

For the next five days, Irma will move west-northwest on the south side of a ridge of high pressure called the Bermuda high, centered in the central Atlantic.

(INTERACTIVE MAP: Track Irma)

By this weekend, Irma will begin to turn north in the direction of a departing southward dip in the jet stream that will set up in the eastern United States. Where that northward turn occurs will be critical for what impacts Irma may bring to parts of the southeastern United States.

Here’s a general overview of the timing for impacts from Irma into this weekend.

Potential Impact Timing

• Leeward Islands: Late Today-Wednesday; tropical storm-force winds will arrive later today.
• Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands: Wednesday- early Thursday
• Dominican Republic/Haiti: Thursday- early Friday
• Turks and Caicos: Late Thursday-Friday
• Bahamas: Friday-this weekend
• Cuba: Friday-this weekend
• Southeast United States: This weekend into early next week, beginning in south Florida Saturday

Projected Path

The red-shaded area denotes the potential path of the center of the tropical cyclone. Note that impacts (particularly heavy rain, high surf, coastal flooding) with any tropical cyclone may spread beyond its forecast path.

U.S. Forecast: Watching Florida, Southeast Closely

While it is still too soon to narrow down specifics on the exact path of Irma’s center and eyewall, there is an increasing chance of a major hurricane strike on at least part of South Florida, including the Florida Keys, this weekend.

As mentioned before, the vast majority of the forecast guidance indicates Irma will begin to turn more to the north sometime this weekend.

The strength and expansiveness of the Bermuda-Azores high over the Atlantic Ocean and the timing, depth, and location of a southward dip in the jet stream near the eastern U.S. will dictate where and when that northward turn occurs.

(MORE: Why the U.S. Forecast is Uncertain)

According to the latest NHC forecast, the center of Irma may be very close to South Florida on Saturday night, with conditions going downhill already during the day, Saturday.

However, as the NHC reminds us, average errors in the track of the center of an Atlantic tropical cyclone 4 to 5 days out are between 175 and 225 miles, which can make a large difference in impacts.

For now, all residents along the Southeast coast and eastern Gulf Coast, including Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, should monitor the progress of Irma closely.

In addition, Irma’s wind field will be large, therefore, dangerous surf and coastal flooding will likely exist throughout the southeastern U.S. coastline even well away from Irma’s center by late week.

Irma’s Steering Late Week

No matter what the future holds for Irma’s path and intensity, the NHC advises, “Everyone in hurricane-prone areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place, as we are now near the peak of the season.”

Forecast: Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Bahamas

Leeward Islands

Irma is likely to make a direct hit on the northern Leeward Islands overnight tonight into Wednesday as a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest to hit that area since Lenny in 1999.

Hurricane-force winds (74-plus mph) are expected within the hurricane warning area of the Leeward Islands by Tuesday night, and tropical-storm-force winds (39-plus mph) are expected by late Tuesday.

Preparations should be rushed to completion in the northern Leeward Islands at this time.

Destructive winds, capable of widespread tree damage, power outages, and structural damage can be expected. Storm-surge flooding, high surf and rip currents will also be dangers, and heavy rain could contribute to flooding and mudslides, as well.

The NHC says that a storm surge of 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels is possible in the extreme northern Leeward Islands near and north of where the center tracks. Battering waves will ride atop the surge, capable of additional damage and erosion at the coast.

Rainfall totals in the Leeward Islands may total 4 to 8 inches, with locally 12 inches in spots.

Conditions should improve by Wednesday night.

Tropical-Storm-Force Wind Probabilities

The shaded colors represent the probability of any one location experiencing tropical-storm-force winds from Irma in the next five days.

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

It will be a very close call whether the eyewall of Irma, containing the highest, most destructive winds, will track over the Virgin Islands and northern Puerto Rico.

Regardless of that, hurricane-force winds (74-plus mph) are expected in the hurricane warning area by late Wednesday, with tropical-storm-force winds (39-plus mph) possible earlier in the day. Therefore, hurricane preparations should be rushed to completion by Tuesday in these areas.

The NHC says that a storm surge of 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels is possible in the Virgin Islands, except St. Croix.

Additionally, a storm surge of 2 to 4 feet is possible along the northern coast of Puerto Rico, along with a storm surge of 1 to 2 feet along the southern coast of Puerto Rico and St. Croix.

Heavy rain bands are also likely to affect Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which may result in flooding and mudslides. Rainfall may total 4 to 8 inches, with locally 12 inches in spots.

Conditions should improve quickly by later Thursday morning.

Rainfall Forecast Through Thursday

Localized higher amounts are possible.

Hispañola, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and Cuba

Irma could pass near Hispañola, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and Cuba late this week into the weekend as a major hurricane.

Reiterating the timing of the closest approach of the center we mentioned earlier:

• Dominican Republic/Haiti: Thursday- early Friday
• Turks and Caicos: Late Thursday-Friday
• Bahamas: Friday-this weekend
• Cuba: Friday-this weekend

Most at risk of the worst impacts near the center is the north coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the Turks and Caicos, southeast Bahamas, and areas near the north coast of Cuba.

Residents and visitors in these areas should continue to monitor the progress of Irma and make preparations for a possible direct hit.

It’s too early to determine the extent of any impacts at this time. Follow the advice of local officials in the days ahead for instruction.

(MORE: Beware ‘I’ Hurricanes)

Check back with weather.com for updates on Irma through the week ahead for the very latest. We will be updating our coverage of Irma frequently based on the latest forecast guidance for its future track and intensity.