MIAMI (970 WFLA) -- Tropical Storm Florence... once expected to be a menace only to shipping and fishermen... now stands to become a major hurricane affecting the Northeast next week... and two new tropical depressions have formed off the coast of Africa. These are expected to grow... the latest from the National Hurricane Center...
FLORENCE:
..FLORENCE POISED TO STRENGTHEN... ...THIS WEEKEND IS A GOOD TIME FOR INTERESTS ALONG THE U.S. EAST COAST TO REVIEW THEIR HURRICANE PLAN...
SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...24.8N 52.5W ABOUT 820 MI...1320 KM NE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS ABOUT 905 MI...1460 KM ESE OF BERMUDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...65 MPH...100 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 260 DEGREES AT 8 MPH...13 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...996 MB...29.42 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Florence was located near latitude 24.8 North, longitude 52.5 West. Florence is moving toward the west near 8 mph (13 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days. A west-northwestward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the early to middle part of next week. On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean through Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in intensity is expected during the next day or so, but restrengthening is forecast over the weekend. Florence could become a hurricane again by Sunday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 996 mb (29.42 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- SURF: Swells generated by Florence are affecting Bermuda and will reach portions of the U.S. East Coast over the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION EIGHT AND NINE INFORMATION BELOW: (courtesy NHC)