MIAMI (970 WFLA) -- It's far out to sea, but forecasters say Ophelia is now a hurricane, and it's likely to make landfall on an island in the Atlantic.
That island is the Emerald Isle, which is within the storm's cone of uncertainty.
More from the National Hurricane Center's 5 pm update:
...OPHELIA BECOMES THE 10TH HURRICANE OF THE 2017 SEASON...
SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...30.0N 36.1W ABOUT 760 MI...1220 KM SW OF THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...E OR 90 DEGREES AT 3 MPH...6 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...990 MB...29.24 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Ophelia was located near latitude 30.0 North, longitude 36.1 West. Ophelia is moving toward the east near 3 mph (6 km/h). A slow northeast drift is expected tonight and tomorrow, followed by an acceleration toward the east-northeast or northeast.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible over the next 48 hours.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 990 mb (29.24 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- None.
NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST.
$$ Forecaster Zelinsky