Hurricane Kirk, currently a major Category 4 storm in the central Atlantic, is intensifying with maximum sustained winds reaching 130 mph, as reported by the National Hurricane Center. While it is expected to remain over open waters, potential impacts could extend to the East Coast of the U.S. by Sunday.
In other developments, Tropical Storm Leslie, located west of Africa, is anticipated to strengthen into a hurricane. Additionally, a system nearing the Gulf of Mexico may cause heavy rain and potential flooding in Florida, regardless of whether it develops into a tropical storm.
As of 5 p.m., Hurricane Kirk was recorded at a location 1,085 miles east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands and 1,655 miles southwest of the Azores. Kirk is moving northwest at 12 mph and is projected to shift northward this weekend. Its hurricane-force winds extend up to 35 miles from the center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching 185 miles.
Kirk is likely to affect ocean conditions, creating dangerous surf and rip currents along various coastal areas, including the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, and the U.S. East Coast this weekend. Reports indicate that Kirk could also pose a significant threat to shipping interests and may impact parts of Western Europe by the middle of next week.
Regarding Tropical Storm Leslie, it is located 580 miles west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, moving westward at 6 mph. Leslie is expected to strengthen and could become a hurricane by Friday, but it is likely to chart a course that avoids the Caribbean Islands, posing primarily a concern for trans-Atlantic shipping.
Updates on both storm systems will continue to be provided, and residents are encouraged to stay informed through local weather alerts.