The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Delta has top sustained winds of 145 miles per hour, a category four storm.
"Some additional strengthening is likely to occur before Delta reaches the northeastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula late tonight or early Wednesday," the Hurricane Center advised.
Forecasters now expect winds to grow to just two miles and hour shy of category five strength at 155 mph.
That would mean catastrophic damage to parts of Mexico.
The hurricane is then forecast to move into the Gulf of Mexico and after winds decrease to 120 mph, grow back to 130 mph as it moves toward the US Gulf Coast.
"Delta is forecast to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday afternoon, and be over the southern or central Gulf of Mexico through Thursday, and approach the northern Gulf coast on Friday."
If the latest forecast holds, it is better news for Southeast Louisiana.
"The overall trend in the guidance has been slightly westward, and the new forecast has been adjusted accordingly."
The Hurricane Center forecast track now calls for Delta to make landfall with 110 mph winds south of Lafayette, Louisiana. That would mean less impact for the New Orleans area.
