Ike has a huge circulation. The most recent vortex message indicates that the max FL wind of 93 kts was found 91 nautical miles (about 105 statute miles) NE of the center. That is quite a bit stronger than any winds found near the center of Ike. Ike's size and the presence of outer wind maxima will make it a struggle for Ike to intensify very rapidly. The rather anemic inner core needs to become much, much stronger for Ike to consolidate. Otherwise, slow intensification and lower max wind speeds than you would expect from the central pressure will be the rule.

Ike was drifting north earlier, but seems to have resumed a mostly NW motion. The weak trough to the north of Ike is in the process of lifting out, so Ike should make a turn back to WNW later tonight.