Photo: National Hurricane Center
Hurricane Franklin became the first major storm of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season as it churns across the Atlantic Ocean. Franklin has sustained winds of 145 mph, making it a Category 4 storm. Franklin is expected to strengthen even further in the warm Atlantic waters.
While Franklin is not expected to make landfall, it could still cause issues along the Eastern Coast between now and Labor Day. States along the Southeast and mid-Atlantic coasts are forecast to cause large swells and dangerous rip currents.
Franklin is about 500 miles southwest of Bermuda and is moving to the north-northwest at 8 mph.
"Swells generated by Franklin are beginning to affect Bermuda. These swells are expected to spread toward the east coast of the United States during the next couple of days, likely resulting in life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," the National Hurricane Center warned.
While Franklin churns in the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Idalia continues to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico as it slowly moves toward the state's west coast. Idalia is also forecast to become a major hurricane before making landfall later this week.