Hurricane Brandon (2012)

Hurricane Brandon is a large and powerful cyclone currently threatening southern Alaska.

Meteorological history
The Alaska Hurricane Center (AHC) noted that there was an extratropical low pressure area in the Gulf of Alaska on October 28, but was expected to remain baroclinic. But only a few hours later, the low became separated from its fronts and a Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that there was a warm core. Therefore, the AHC initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Brandon. The initial intensity of 45 mph was based on aircraft data. The storm, at the time, was not expected to strengthen much. However, weather models began to indicate a much more conducive environment and then the AHC forecast Brandon to strengthen into a hurricane. On October 30, the storm rapidly intensified into a hurricane and is expected to strengthen further into a major hurricane before landfall.