 While at major hurricane status , Ivan maintained very strong convection in its core with a well @-@ defined eye . Operationally , the probability for further rapid strengthening was considered nearly nine times the average of a typical hurricane . Accordingly , Ivan was forecast to pass near Barbados with winds of about 150 mph ( 240 km / h ) . Shortly after attaining Category 4 status , the outer convection of the hurricane became ragged . Hurricane Hunters found a Saharan Air Layer in the northern portion of the eye , leaving the eyewall eroded which caused a marked decrease in winds ; by late on September 6 Ivan weakened to winds of 105 mph ( 165 km / h ) . The inner eyewall dissipated as a 23 mile ( 37 km ) outer eyewall became dominant , and concurrently the overall organization of the hurricane improved . Ivan again attained major hurricane status as it approached the Lesser Antilles , and at 2130 UTC on September 7 the cyclone passed 7 miles ( 11 km ) south @-@ southwest of the southern tip of Grenada , its closest approach to the island . At the time , the hurricane maintained an eye diameter of 12 miles ( 19 km ) , with the northern portion of the eyewall producing strong winds on the island . The hurricane brought strong winds to Grenada , and tropical storm force winds were reported as far north as Dominica . 
