Florence Becomes the First Major Hurricane in the Atlantic This Season

news image
Special Stories
5 Sep 2018 10:56 AM
Unexpectedly, Hurricane Florence has become the first major hurricane in the Atlantic Basin this season. According to the National Hurricane Center, "Florence has been rapidly intensifying since yesterday, an event that was not foreseen by any intensity models, nor forecasters." Upper level wind shear was expected to keep the storm at category one strength, but the hurricane moved along "a small pocket of relatively low shear, and with waters becoming progressively warmer, the hurricane has strengthened significantly more than anticipated", NHC states. The cyclone now has sustained winds of 130 mph, making it a category four storm. Some weakening is expected as Florence moves over slightly cooler central Atlantic Ocean waters and encounters the previously mentioned wind shear. Florence is located about 1160 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and 1370 miles east-southeast of Bermuda. The forecast track takes Florence around an upper level high pressure ridge, steering the storm to the west and northwest. A broad area of low pressure, located a couple hundred miles southwest of the Cape Verde Islands has become better organized. With conditions favorable for development ahead of the storm, intensification is likely and a tropical depression is likely to form later this week. For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels
All Weather News
More
Tornadoes Hit Nebraska and Iowa Thursday Night

Tornadoes Hit Nebraska and Iowa Thursday Night

Severe storms erupted Thursday evening across

20 Apr 2025 1:00 AM
Severe Thunderstorm Threat Continues Into Sunday

Severe Thunderstorm Threat Continues Into Sunday

The jet stream remains active and stubborn in

20 Apr 2025 1:00 AM
Dry Southwest Keeps Critical Fire Conditions in the Forecast

Dry Southwest Keeps Critical Fire Conditions in the Forecast

Fire danger remains elevated this weekend in

20 Apr 2025 12:40 AM
Spring Snow Continues in the Rockies

Spring Snow Continues in the Rockies

​A classic late-season April snowstorm is imp

19 Apr 2025 2:30 AM
Cold Push for the Northeast

Cold Push for the Northeast

Two upper level lows have brought a shot of c

16 Apr 2025 9:40 AM
Earthquake in Southern California Monday Morning

Earthquake in Southern California Monday Morning

A 5.2M earthquake was detected Monday morning

15 Apr 2025 9:00 AM
Spring Heat Wave: More Record Highs to Fall Today

Spring Heat Wave: More Record Highs to Fall Today

A surge of unseasonable heat is sweeping acro

13 Apr 2025 5:50 PM