Hurricane Florence weakens to Category 3
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Florence has weakened to a Category 3 hurricane as it moves towards the northwest near 19 km/h.
The Meteorological (Met) Service of Jamaica said the storm’s maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 185 km/h with higher gusts.
At 4:00 am the centre of Hurricane Florence was located near latitude 24.1 degrees North, longitude 47.9 degrees West, or 1705 km east northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands.
Met service said a turn toward the west-northwest with a decrease in forward speed is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the west by the weekend.
Forecasters expect some additional weakening today, but anticipate that Florence will remain a strong hurricane for the next several days.
The Met Service said Hurricane Florence is not a threat to Jamaica but it will continue to monitor the system.
The hurricane is expected to begin affecting Bermuda on Friday. There are no coastal watches or warnings currently in place.