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Hurricane Sam expected to rapidly intensify this weekend

Sam forecast to become Category 4 hurricane
Hurricane Sam is expected to continue to strengthen over the next few days.
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Hurricane Sam is expected to continue to strengthen over the next few days.

It is still forecast to become a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph over the weekend.

TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide

At 5 p.m. Friday, Sam was moving west at 12 mph.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to 85 mph with higher gusts.

Rapid intensification is forecast over the next several days, and Sam is expected to become a major hurricane on Saturday.

So far, models re-curve it east of the Bahamas.

Sam is the 18th named storm of the 2021 hurricane season.

A tropical wave behind Sam has a medium chance to develop.

At 5 p.m. Friday, Subtropical Storm Teresaformed north of Bermuda with 45 mph winds.

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