Nicole could be at near-hurricane strength by midweek near Bahamas, South Florida: forecasters - South Florida Sun Sentinel

Subtropical Storm Nicole, which formed aboriginal Monday, could beryllium adjacent hurricane strength, oregon perchance a hurricane, by midweek arsenic it nears the northwestern Bahamas and past southeast Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory.

Forecasters accidental Nicole is “a ample storm” that is expected to determination implicit oregon adjacent the Bahamas Wednesday, and attack Florida’s eastbound seashore Wednesday night. Latest estimates Monday said its maximum sustained winds this week could to scope 70 mph, conscionable 4 mph nether the threshold for a Category 1 hurricane.

“It’s not retired of the question for Nicole to scope hurricane strength, particularly fixed however lukewarm the waters are successful the vicinity of the Bahamas,” experts said aboriginal Monday.

A tropical tempest ticker was successful effect aboriginal Monday for the northwestern Bahamas, Grand Bahama, Bimini and surrounding islands. The National Hurricane Center said it whitethorn contented further warnings aboriginal Monday for the cardinal Bahamas and parts of southeast Florida.

Subtropical Storm Nicole, which formed aboriginal Monday, could astatine oregon adjacent hurricane spot by midweek arsenic it nears northeastern Bahamas and southeast Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center. (National Hurricane Center)

As of 5 a.m. Monday, Nicole had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving north-northwest astatine 14 mph. It is forecast to crook northwest Monday, past westbound oregon west-southwest Tuesday done aboriginal Thursday.

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“There is an expanding hazard of coastal flooding, tropical-storm-force winds, dense rainfall, unsmooth surf, and formation erosion on overmuch of the southeastern United States coast, the Florida eastbound coast, and portions of the cardinal and northwestern Bahamas opening successful the aboriginal to mediate portion of this week,” the hurricane halfway reported connected Sunday.

On Tuesday, which is Election Day, South Florida voters volition apt statesman feeling the effects arsenic the strategy brings moisture up from the Caribbean Sea.

Barry Baxter, a meteorologist for National Weather Service Miami, encouraged South Floridians to enactment vigilant.

“We are technically inactive successful hurricane play until the extremity of this month,” helium said. “So don’t fto your defender down conscionable due to the fact that it’s successful November. It’s uncommon we get them this clip of year, but we could inactive get them.”

Forecasters are besides monitoring a stormy country of debased unit located 650 eastbound of Bermuda aboriginal Monday. Forecasters said it could inactive go a short-lived tropical slump oregon tropical tempest arsenic aboriginal arsenic contiguous earlier it is hindered by upper-level winds and a acold front.

The strategy adjacent Bermuda had a 60% accidental of processing successful the adjacent 2 to 5 days, according to the hurricane center, down from 70% connected Sunday.

There person been 2 large hurricanes, meaning Category 3 oregon above, truthful acold this season: Fiona and Ian.

The adjacent named tempest to signifier would beryllium Owen.

NOAA has predicted astatine slightest 4 much hurricanes volition signifier earlier hurricane play officially ends connected Nov. 30.