Franklin strengthens into Category 4 hurricane
MIAMI - The first major hurricane of the 2023 season, Franklin, has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane.
Late Monday morning, the storm was about 480 miles southwest of Bermuda. It was moving to the north at 9 mph with sustained winds of 115 mph.
Franklin is forecast to continue on its northerly tek and increase in speed over the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Franklin is expected to pass well west of Bermuda on Wednesday.
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Bermuda.
Some additional strengthening is possible on Monday, but gradual weakening is expected to begin by
Tuesday afternoon.
Swells, life-threatening surf, and rip currents generated by Franklin are beginning to affect Bermuda and the southeast United States. They are expected to spread northward along the east coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada during the next couple of days.