First major hurricane of 2023 Atlantic season heads for Bermuda

MIAMI, CMC – Residents in Bermuda were on Monday urged to monitor the progress of Hurricane Franklin, the first major hurricane of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season, as it moves towards the British Overseas Territory.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said that the hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour, was located 505 miles south west of Bermuda.

The centre said that while there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, “interests in Bermuda should monitor the progress of this system” and that “watches will likely be required for Bermuda later today”.

According to the hurricane centre,  the centre of Hurricane Franklin was located near latitude 27.2 North, longitude 70.8 West and is moving towards the north-northwest near  eight mph.

It said a gradual turn towards the north and north-northeast with a slightly faster forward speed is expected during the next couple of days.

“Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph with higher gusts. This makes Franklin a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is forecast today, but gradual weakening is expected to begin by Tuesday afternoon.”

The hurricane centre said that swells generated by Franklin are beginning to affect Bermuda and that 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.

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