Sam strengthens into a hurricane, watching two other areas

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Sam intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane as we monitor two other disturbances across the Atlantic Basin.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —

Hurricane Sam

Sam strengthened into a hurricane earlier this morning. As of 11 a.m. Friday, the storm has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.

By mid-next week, the storm will be nearing the Lesser Antilles. We still have a lot of time to watch it.

Sam will eventually become a major hurricane as it continues its trek toward the west-northwest. Long-range forecast models indicate a strong trough of low pressure keeping the storm away from the United States east coast.

However, these storms are generally systems to watch extremely closely, especially this time of year. You can trust the WCNC Charlotte weather team to keep you updated on any changes.

Elsewhere, recent satellite observations show that showers and storms with a low-pressure center and an upper-level trough are becoming better defined. They have increased the opportunity for development to 70%.

This is more likely to become our next named subtropical or tropical storm. The good news is that the front off the east coast of the United States will help deflect any kind of tropical development locally.

Lastly, we have a new tropical wave expected to move off the west coast of Africa over the weekend. Environmental conditions will be marginally conducive for formation once it does. Right now, the National Hurricane Center is giving it a 50% chance of development.

The last area of interest (shaded in yellow) associated with the remnants of Odette is no longer expected to develop. The next storm names on the list are Teresa, followed by Victor.

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