'Tropical storm Florence' set to strengthen into hurricane
The storm is expected to be named later today as it gains strength
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A storm called Potential Tropical Cyclone Six is expected is expected to bring rain and life-threatening flash flooding to the Cabo Verde Islands in the eastern Atlantic. The storm could strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday.
It has already been determined that it will be named Tropical Storm Florence as it gathers pace - becoming the seventh named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
The latest advisory for the storm — released at 7am Central time — said that the storm was 190 miles east-southeast of the southernmost point of those islands, and was moving at 12mph.
Compared to the types of major storms that have walloped American shores in the past, the as-of-yet-unnamed storm is relatively weak — clocking in with winds of 35 mph — but the system is expected to strengthen over the next week and may be classified as a hurricane in the coming days.
That said, tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Cabo Verde Islands Santiago, Fogo, and Brava, where residents can expect the potential for heavy rain and gusty winds later on in the day.
Where it goes from there is hard to predict — storms are fickle things and often change direction — but the hurricane centre’s long-range tracker pegs it as moving on a west to northwest path in the coming days. Early next week, the storm is likely to be far from the United States mainland.
If Potential Tropical Cyclone Six strengthens into a hurricane but still misses the United States, another storm is being watched with the potential to hit the US.
The hurricane center announced on Friday that it is watching a tropical wave in the Caribbean that could move into the Gulf of Mexico, and potentially strengthen.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments