ORLANDO, Fla. – As Hurricane Melissa speeds northeastward over the Atlantic, its intensity is on the rise early Thursday morning.

Recent satellite imagery has captured a clearly defined mid-level eyewall, with indications of an eye forming, encircled by intense thunderstorms.

The storm’s winds have escalated to approximately 105 mph, classifying it as a potent Category 2 hurricane.

[VIDEO BELOW: Melissa’s destructive journey through island regions]

Later today, Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft are set to conduct a detailed investigation of the storm’s progression.

Melissa was moving quickly to the northeast at about 20 mph as it pulls away from the Bahamas and heads toward Bermuda. The storm’s center is expected to pass just northwest of the island Thursday night, and a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Bermuda.

After passing Bermuda, Melissa will accelerate across the North Atlantic and is forecast to reach the southeastern tip of Newfoundland by Friday night as it transitions into a powerful post-tropical system.

[VIDEO BELOW: Cooler weather comes to Central Florida]

By late Thursday and into Friday, the storm will encounter stronger wind shear and cooler waters, which will cause it to weaken and lose its tropical characteristics.

No other areas of of development are expected to develop in the next seven days, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane season officially ends November 30.