Hurricane Helene Continues To Gain Strength In Eastern Atlantic

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Hurricane Helene is strengthening rapidly as it moves across the tropical Atlantic.

At 11 p.m., the center of the storm was located about 535 miles west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.

Helene is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph.

A continued west-northwestward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through late Tuesday, followed by a turn toward the northwest and then north-northwest on Wednesday and Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 105 mph with higher gusts.

Little change in intensity is expected during the next 12 hours, but a gradual weakening trend is expected after that time.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds  extend outward up to 115 miles.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.