Hurricane Florence has changed little in intensity today. Recent data from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that Florence has not strengthened since this afternoon. As of 11:00 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Hurricane Florence was centered near 28.4°N 68.7°W, and was moving west-northwestward at about 17 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 120 knots (140 mph), with an estimated minimum pressure of 946 mb. However, reconnaissance aircraft data indicate that this intensity may be a little generous.

Florence continues to pose a major threat to the Southeastern United States, especially the Carolinas, late this week and into the weekend. The latest models have shifted south somewhat, with the GFS and ECMWF models now indicating the potential for Florence to make a southwestward dive towards South Carolina prior to making landfall. I will continue to monitor Florence over the coming days.