Tropical Storm Larry forecast to become major hurricane in Atlantic

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Tropical Storm Larry formed on Wednesday morning, and the National Hurricane Center forecasts that it could strengthen to a hurricane Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

The system could be a major Category 3 hurricane by early next week as it heads toward the central part of the Atlantic.

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, the system was located 370 miles west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands, packing 70 mph maximum sustained winds as it moved west at 22 mph.

Because it is so far away, there is uncertainty about where Larry will end up.

Local 10 News Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said the system doesn’t appear to be a strong threat to Florida currently, though it certainly bears monitoring.

“The system is forecast to intensify into a strong hurricane while it turns north into the central Atlantic before it gets to the islands,” Norcross said. “For the next several days, Larry won’t be a problem. After that, we need to be sure it continues to the north. Its long-term prospects are still a bit murky.”

There are no tropical watches or warnings currently in effect.

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Tropical Storm Larry