Eye on the Tropics

Hurricane Larry strengthens into Category 3 storm, expected to stay east of Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Hurricane Larry continues to strengthen in the Atlantic. Read updates below:

11:10 p.m. update

Larry strengthened into a Category 3 storm late Friday evening.

This marks the season’s third major hurricane. It is expected to stay well to the east of Florida, Channel 9 Certified Chief Meteorologist Tom Terry said.

Meanwhile another system, Invest 91, is disorganized over land but may have a window for some organization early next week as it moves north over the Gulf, Terry said.

5:10 p.m. update

Larry strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane Friday afternoon.

“Larry is the next major hurricane we’ll keep track of off in the Atlantic, but all we’ll have here are rip currents next week,” chief meteorologist Tom Terry said.

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He said Invest 91 could develop into a named storm in the Gulf of Mexico next week.

The peak of the season is Sept. 10.

Meanwhile, locally, storms will linger until about 8:30 p.m. Friday from Lake County to south of metro Orlando and even Osceola and Brevard counties.

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“Occasional lightning may postpone early kick-offs tonight,” Terry said.

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11 a.m. update

Hurricane Larry continues to intensify in the Atlantic.

Forecasters said Larry is now expected to become a major hurricane this weekend.

See: Tropical system terms explained

The storm’s maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph, with higher gusts.

The National Hurricane Center said Larry’s swells will bring a high risk of rip currents and high surf to the Lesser Antilles by Sunday.

5 a.m. update

Larry is slowly strengthening as it moves west-northwest in the Atlantic.

The storm’s winds have reached 90 mph, with higher gusts.

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Forecasters said Larry is expected to become a major hurricane by Friday night.

There is a risk of rip currents and high surf from Larry’s swells for the Lesser Antilles on Sunday.

It is still too early to tell where the storm will go.

READ: Atlantic hurricane season shows no signs of slowing down, NOAA says in mid-season update

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Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly, WFTV.com

Jason Kelly joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2014. He serves as the station's Digital Executive Producer.

Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.

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