Updated: Florence Now a Category 3 Hurricane – The First of 2018 Season

Hurricane Florence will go down in history as the first major hurricane of the 2018 season that ends at the end of November.

Florence  was upgraded to a Category 3 earlier today, packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.

Forecasters say the storm will weaken within the next 24 to 48 hours due to wind shear. But the US National Hurricane Center anticipate the storm will remain strong “through early next week”.

As of noon today, Florence was 1,370 miles east-southeast of Bermuda moving west-northwest at 13 mph, with its current closest point of approach forecast to be 643 miles to the east-southeast on Saturday. 

There’s also a chance the storm may come closer to the island.

Forecasters at the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) said the Cat 3 storm was not considered a threat to Bermuda as the Emergency Measures Organisation continues to monitor its track.

Earlier today a National Security Ministry spokeswoman said: “While the Bermuda Weather Service 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, 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.”

A BWS spokeswoman added: “By the end of the long range forecast, Florence is expected to re-intensify as it tracks across warmer seas and an area of less shear.

“This complex pattern leads to uncertainty in the track and intensity of Florence beyond five days and although Florence is not a threat to Bermuda at this time, it will need to be monitored.”

The ministry also advised residents to adhere to official information from official sources regarding all public services, such as itself, the EMO and the Department of Communications.

The Emergency Broadcast Station on 100.1FM is operational and people can also visit www.weather.bm.