NHC: Hurricane Florence Now A Category 3
According to the latest forecast from the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Florence is now a category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph [185 km/h] with higher gusts.
The NHC said, “Florence is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph [19 km/h]. A turn toward the west-northwest with a decrease in forward speed is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the west by the weekend.
Graphic courtesy of the NHC:
“Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 115 mph [185 km/h] with higher gusts. Florence is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional weakening is forecast today, but Florence is expected to remain a strong hurricane for the next several days.
“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles [30 km] from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles [150 km].”
Hurricane Florence is “not a threat to Bermuda at this time”, the Bermuda Weather Service said, with its closest approach to Bermuda within 72 hrs forecast to be 568nm to the ESE at 6am on Sunday [Sept 9] with the BWS noting that “this system may move closer to Bermuda after this time period depending upon its track.”
Yesterday the Ministry of National Security advised that the Emergency Measures Organisation [EMO] is “closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Florence.”
The Ministry said, “While the Bermuda Weather Service [BWS] notes that the storm’s track will continue to fluctuate as the week progresses, the Ministry takes this opportunity to remind the public that Bermuda is in the midst of hurricane season [June 1 - Nov. 30], and encourages the public to use this opportunity to update their storm supply kits.
“The Ministry notes that the EMO is prepared and stands ready to convene should Hurricane Florence’s forecasted track pose a threat to Bermuda.”
plz oh plz give me a day off work next week….