Tammy strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Update:

Tammy has strengthened into a hurricane.

The Category 1 storm has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.

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Hurricane conditions are expected for portions of the Leeward Islands, beginning late Friday.

“Heavy rain is expected to impact the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as well as Puerto Rico,” certified meteorologist Kassandra Crimi said. “Impacts for the Caribbean will last through the weekend.”

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Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness at Noon for live updates.


Earlier story:

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Tropical Storm Tammy continues to gain strength as it moves closer to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

As of Friday morning, Tammy is moving west-northwest at 8 mph and has maximum winds around 60 mph.

Tammy is forecast to become a hurricane as it moves closer to the eastern Caribbean islands.

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The system will be spinning east of Puerto Rico over the weekend.

Puerto Rico may experience some heavy rain, especially in the eastern part of the island.

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Tammy is projected to take a sharp turn to the north and back out into the Atlantic over the weekend and early next week.

Thankfully, Florida will not see any impacts from Tammy.

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Channel 9 meteorologists are monitoring the storm and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates: