Franklin Expected To Be A Cat 2 Hurricane By The Time It Reaches The Local Area

Forecasters at the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS), say Tropical Storm Franklin is being closely monitored to our distant south and is expected to slowly advance north in the coming days.

Earlier today, the storm pounded the Dominican Republic, with a repeated warning tonight that Franklin could approach Bermuda as a Category 2 hurricane by early next week.

Forecasts by the US National Hurricane Centre suggest the storm could pick up strength and speed in the days ahead, reaching hurricane strength this weekend.

As of 6pm, the closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hrs (3 days) is forecast to be 439 nm to the South of the island around 6pm on Saturday, August 26.

But forecasters continue the cautionary warning that this system may move closer to Bermuda after this time period depending upon its track.

And once again, they say TS Franklin is not considered a threat to Bermuda at this point in time.

At last check, the storm was located at 19.8N 70.6W, approximately 812 nm SSW of Bermuda, moving North, 19.8N 70.6W with maximum winds at 35kt with gusts to 45kt.

The BWS say the storm’s projected path shows it nearly due west of the island around 3pm on Monday as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of almost 104mph.

Forecasters say the storm is expected to advance north slowly within the next few days, which will add swell to moderate seas in the local area this weekend”.

Bermuda Weather Service