Miami, Fla.(970 WFLA)-At 500 AM EDT, the center of Hurricane Helene was located near latitude 14.3 North, longitude 28.9 West, about 305 miles west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.
Helene is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph and this motion is expected to continue for another couple of days. A turn to the northwest is forecast to occur on Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph with higher gusts. Helene's expected to resume strengthening today. Afterward, weakening is forecast to commence Wednesday morning.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 984 mb (29.06 inches).
Graphic Credit: NHC Miami