Well, I have to admit to surprise, but at least the NHC probability of it becoming named storm is up to 90%. 

https://yaleclimateconnections.org/filter/?category_name=&term=&format=post-format-standard includes reports from some models that it will become a major hurricane and threaten the area already devastated by Eta in Nicaragua.

I've put a note in the Forum Arms that typhoon Goni has damaged communications in the Philippines to the extent that call centres there are still struggling - personal experience with HSBC chatline.

Iota could be a Cat5, there is nothing that would prevent that from happening.

TCs are stochastic though so internal dynamics will determine whether that happens (i.e its impossible to know).

But I'd be amazed if this doesn't get to at least a Cat 3

Very track dependent. A group of tracks take Iota very close to the Nicaraguan/Honduras coast.

Iota now named and on course to become major hurricane before landfall in Nicaragua - they're still clearing up after Eta, and Iota looks asif it's heading for more populated regions with 2-" rain and 100mph winds.  and then some - they could really do without this second bashing. Meteorologically, it will be interesting to see if (as some models suggest) it manages to cross C America and emerge as a zombie storm on the Pacific.

Vamco due to attack Vietnam as cat 1 (it was cat 2 as it passed the Philippines and is currently cat 4)

Alicia, the first named storm of the S Hemisphere season is a few hundred miles S of Sri Lanka. Photo at https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/11/hurricane-iota-expected-to-strengthen-to-major-hurricane-ahead-of-landfall/ 

#Iota continues to rapidly intensify and is forecast to reach Category 4 intensity before landfall. If that forecast verifies, it would be only 2nd Atlantic #hurricane to reach Category 4 intensity this late in the calendar year on record. Other is Lenny (1999). pic.twitter.com/4C1QE8D1He

— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) November 15, 2020

I'm not convinced Iota still is only 90mph sustained. It's a beast, and satellite imaging shows it to be very organised with a nice eye - i think it's probably already a Cat 3... i await eagerly with anticipation the next NHC update.

https://en.sat24.com/en/ama

...AIR FORCE RESERVE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT FINDS IOTA HAS RAPIDLY 
STRENGTHENED INTO A DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE...

Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft data indicate that Iota 
now has maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 km/h) with higher 
gusts. The minimum pressure measured by the plane was 935 mb (27.61 
inches). The updated intensity will be reflected in the next 
advisory which will be issued by 400 AM EST.

Iota has explosively deepened 26 mb during the past 6 hours and has 
rapidly intensified an incredible 35 kt during that same time.

now 145mph winds and central pressure is 933mb

Should get to Cat 5. Devastating impacts for such a poor country like Nicaragua

Lets hope Trump provides military and financial support

This inner core lightning burst episode w/ #Iota is just jaw-dropping & has only grown more impressive since the last recon mission ended.

Fwiw, #Iota is the most electrified hurricane I've seen since at least #Dorian (2019) near its peak and that was a 185 mph/910mb category 5. pic.twitter.com/5SuiPnH2A3

— Eric Webb (@webberweather) November 16, 2020

Now sustained winds of 155mph - hurricane plane currently investigating so could be even stronger on next update. Viewed from a far this is a beauty though sadly not for those in its path.

NOAA have this as Cat 5 now.

Winds 160mph and 917mb.

Forecast to strengthen further before landfall:

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT  16/1500Z 13.5N  82.0W  140 KT 160 MPH
 12H  17/0000Z 13.7N  83.2W  145 KT 165 MPH
 24H  17/1200Z 14.0N  84.8W   75 KT  85 MPH...INLAND
 36H  18/0000Z 14.1N  86.5W   40 KT  45 MPH...INLAND
 48H  18/1200Z 13.9N  88.4W   30 KT  35 MPH...INLAND
 60H  19/0000Z...DISSIPATED

Latest Cat5 on record

2nd ever Nov Cat5

Outer bands now hitting the coast

160mph

https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/floater.php?stormid=AL312020

Iota proving exceptional in several ways - second  ever recorded cat 5 Atlantic hurricane in November (last was in 1935), one of three rapidly intensifying November storms this year (defined as 100mph wind speed increase in 36 hr, previously only 8 instances in 169 years) an unprecedented record of five consecutive years with cat 5 hurricanes in Atlantic, and now only the third cat 5 hurricane to landfall in Nicaragua (previous 1971 and 2007). I feel very sorry for the Nicaraguans

Now watch out for Kappa - some models (not NHC) think this will form off Costa Rica/Panama in the near future but probably not a major storm

https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/11/category-5-hurricane-iota-on-track-to-bring-catastrophic-winds-rain-storm-surge-to-central-america/ 

#Cyclone #GATI nearing #Somalia. JTWC's intensity estimate of 100 knots seems reasonable. India Met Dept's estimate of 50 knots is frankly mystifying. I generally avoid publicly disagreeing with official agencies, but it's hard not to here: it's obviously much stronger than that. pic.twitter.com/1V9gTh2QmZ

— Josh Morgerman (@iCyclone) November 22, 2020

Nothing in the mainstream media about this unfolding disaster in Somalia

There is likely a tragedy unfolding in Somalia as #Gati rapidly intensified to near Category 4 strength overnight. Somalia has never even experienced a hurricane force equivalent cyclone!
On a side note, the IMD has this at 40kts. What a joke pic.twitter.com/gZLDcgYGrT

— KeviShader (@KeviShader) November 22, 2020

2020: The Year of #RapidIntensification pic.twitter.com/EMvchDszV9

— Stu Ostro (@StuOstro) November 20, 2020

What looks like a tiny TC seems to be developing in the mid atlantic.

The NHC had previously identified the Low as having potential for TC development before it merged with another ETC (frontal system still visible right). However now it looks to be going tropical in its own right. Tiny CDO of convection developing. Still very shallow but definitely making progress towards being a TC.

Just pop on to mention this but glad it's been spotted. I suspect this might get recognised at a later date.

Cyclone #Yasa is steadily intensifying at the moment with a formative inner core and a somewhat defined CDO. Shear has lessened markedly over the past day or so and given favorable conditions, it could become rather strong (JTWC:105kts) before passing close to Fiji this week. pic.twitter.com/oc7YvzAIhp

— KeviShader (@KeviShader) December 14, 2020

It ended up very strong - cat 5 out to sea, high-end cat 4 on landfall in Fiji

https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/12/tropical-cyclone-yasa-makes-landfall-in-fiji-with-145-mph-winds/