The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Florence to a hurricane, the third so far this season in the Atlantic Basin. The storm is located more than 1200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Wind speeds have increased this morning to 75 mph, prompting the upgrade to hurricane status.
Little change in intensity is expected over the next few days as Florence will be affected by southwesterly flowing wind shear and drier air aloft. The storm will continue moving to the northwest this week, staying well out to sea and not affecting any land areas.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels