FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — South Florida is now in the forecast cone for Subtropical Storm Nicole, which is forecast to be near hurricane strength, or possibly a hurricane, by midweek, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory. 

South Florida is now in the forecast cone for Subtropical Storm Nicole, which is forecast to be near hurricane strength, or possibly a hurricane, by midweek, according to the National Hurricane Center’ s latest advisory.© NOAA/National Hurricane Center/TNS

Forecasters say Nicole, which formed early Monday, is “a large storm” that is expected to move over or near the Bahamas Wednesday, and approach Florida’s east coast Wednesday night. Latest estimates Monday said its maximum sustained winds this week could to reach 70 mph, just 4 mph under the threshold for a Category 1 hurricane.

“It’s not out of the question for Nicole to reach hurricane strength, especially given how warm the waters are in the vicinity of the Bahamas,” experts said early Monday.A tropical storm watch was in effect early Monday for the northwestern Bahamas, Grand Bahama, Bimini and surrounding islands. The National Hurricane Center said it may issue additional warnings later Monday for the central Bahamas and parts of southeast Florida.As of 8 a.m. Monday, Nicole had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving north-northwest at 14 mph about 520 miles east of the northwestern Bahamas. It is forecast to turn northwest Monday, then west or west-southwest Tuesday through early Thursday.“There is an increasing risk of coastal flooding, tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rainfall, rough surf, and beach erosion along much of the southeastern United States coast, the Florida east coast, and portions of the central and northwestern Bahamas beginning in the early to middle part of this week,” the hurricane center reported on Sunday.Video Player is loading.0

Continue reading