We know one factor that hurricanes need to stay strong or gain intensity is warm water. The water temperatures along the expected path of Hurricane Irma is more than warm enough to sustain it as a major hurricane.

The image above shows the surface water temperatures on September 5, 2017.

The temperatures are posted in celsius. The water temperatures along the projected path of Hurricane Irma are 29degC to 31degC. Converted to fahrenheit, the water temperatures are between 84deg and 88deg.

It's generally accepted that hurricanes need at least 80deg water temperatures to form and continue to exist. With every degree of heat above 80deg, hurricanes can get stronger.

Here is the National Hurricane Center official forecast track, as of 5 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.

National Hurricane Center official forecast, issued at 5 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time, September 6, 2017.

Notice the water temperatures between Cuba and the Bahamas, where Hurricane Irma is expected to pass. The surface water temperatures are very warm. This is one of the factors causing the National Hurricane Center(NHC) to forecast Hurricane Irma to remain a major hurricane.

It should be noted that currently NHC forecasts winds to be sustained around 155 mph at the time it approaches Florida, with gusts up to 190 mph. Although this is a 35 mph decrease from the current wind speeds, it is still strong enough wind to cause major damage.

I've also found the National Hurricane Center typically weakens a hurricane slightly in the most distant part of its forecast.

The path of Hurricane Irma could mean it will have some interaction with land over Cuba and the Bahamas. When that happens, hurricanes do typically weaken some. The amount of land Irma is going to travel over before coming near Florida won't be enough to substantially weaken Irma.

To get the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, go here.

Are you in the path of Irma? Tell us what you are doing to prepare in the comments below.