this is the strongest storm in the atlantic that we have ever seen and it's getting stronger. is it getting stronger because it's going over warmer water as it approaches the u.s.? >> yes, that is a big part of it. part of it is the upper level environment around the storm, and that is exactly what we are measuring right now with our gulf stream jet. again, we're up at 35,000 feet getting a full profile of the atmosphere from that altitude all the way do you think to when the sonde splashes in the ocean. so it's not only the environment around the storm that is important but also the ocean temperatures. the ocean temperatures ahead of irma are very, very warm. we're talking water temperatures of 87, 88 degrees farenheit. and that is just fuel for the fire. the waters through the bahamas