ORLANDO, Fla. -- Hurricane Florence to strengthen in the Atlantic, while Tropical Storm Isaac has been elevated to hurricane status.

Florence continues to be the biggest concern to the US, as it will likely impact the Carolinas between Wednesday and Friday.

Florence is located approximately 685 miles southeast of Bermuda. Movement is to the west at 7 mph.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to 90 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane.

Florence is expected to rapidly strengthen into a major hurricane by Monday night.

Swells generated by Florence are beginning to impact the southeastern US, including Florida, and will continue to do so through much of next week.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from the storm’s center. The minimum central pressure is 945 mb.

It is growing more likely that the system will have a direct impact on the Carolinas, where hurricane preparations should begin.

Interests from South Georgia through coastal Virginia should continue to pay close attention to future forecasts.

It also becoming more likely that Florence will stall somewhere near the Mid-Atlantic next weekend, dumping heavy rainfall and increasing the flooding threat from South Carolina all the way to Washington, DC.

For Central Florida, Florence will bring significant wave activity in the Atlantic, along with a dangerous high rip current threat and possible coastal erosion. The core of Florence is expected to stay to the north of our area.

HURRICANE HELENE

Tropical Storm Helene continues to intensify in the eastern Atlantic. It continues to move away from the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.

Helene now has sustained winds of 85 mph, which makes it a Category 1 hurricane. The system is moving west-northwest at 13 mph. The minimum pressure is 984 mb.

Hurricane force winds extend 25 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds extend 90 miles from the center.

Helene is expected to intensify over to a Category 2 storm by late Monday. The system will then curve to the north and remain out to sea.

HURRICANE ISAAC

Finally, Tropical Storm Isaac has been upgraded to a hurricane east of the Lesser Antilles.

Isaac is located approximately 1305 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Isaac at this time.

The storm is moving slowly towards the west at 14 mph with winds of 75 mph, making it also a Category 1 hurricane. The minimum pressure is 993 mb.

Isaac will also likely strengthen through Tuesday.

It is possible Isaac will directly impact some of the Lesser Antilles early next week as a hurricane, before moving into the Caribbean Sea.

There is now some uncertainty about Isaac’s long term future. The system will run into significant wind shear next weekend, which could cause the storm to weaken.

Hurricane season runs through November 30.