FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Hurricane Larry, packing winds of 90 miles per hour, continued working its way through the Atlantic on Friday and is still expected to become a major hurricane this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Major hurricane, or Category 3 status, starts at 111 mph winds.
As of 11 a.m., Larry, which became the fifth hurricane of the 2021 season Thursday morning, was moving west-northwest at 16 mph and located 1,090 miles west of Africa’s west coast.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.
Although Larry could eventually threaten Bermuda or North America, possibly the northeast United States or Newfoundland, the island near the Canadian coast, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect as of now. But forecasters are keeping an eye on Larry.
It’s currently on a path west over the central Atlantic, in the general direction of the U.S. However, it is forecast to make a gradual turn to the west-northwest Friday night. Beyond that, it’s too early to tell where it may head.
Forecasters say that conditions support rapid development.
“Further strengthening, into major hurricane strength, is predicted to occur this weekend or early next week,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said.
Hurricane Larry is still forecast to become a major hurricane with winds of 111 miles per hour or stronger this weekend. If that happens it would be the third major hurricane this season. At this point, Larry isn't expected to threaten land.
Forecasters said there’s a chance Larry exists until next week, becoming the longest-lived system of the season, surpassing Ida, which lasted nine days.
The 12th named storm of the year is on track to enter an area with even warmer sea-surface temperatures and lower levels of vertical wind shear.
If Larry develops into a major hurricane as forecast, it would be the third of the season, along with Grace, a Category 3, and Ida, a Category 4.
There are only five years in the satellite era, which began in 1966, that had three major hurricanes by Sept. 4: 2008, 2005, 2004, 1996 and 1969, according to Colorado State University hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach.
Meanwhile, forecasters are watching two other areas for potential storm development.
An area of low pressure in the western Caribbean could move over the Gulf of Honduras on Friday. This system could then move over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico this weekend and early next week, but upper-level winds would hinder development.
A second area of low pressure area formed late Thursday morning about 150 miles southwest of the coast of west Africa, according to the hurricane center. Forecasters said some development is possible over the next 24 hours as the low moves west at about 15 mph. After that, conditions are expected to be less ideal for development.
The next two named storms to form would be Mindy and Nicholas.
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