Hurricane Dorian strengthened to an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane Friday evening, but Florida may not have to endure a direct hit.
The core of Dorian is expected to move over the Atlantic well north of the southeastern and central Bahamas on Saturday, be near or over the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday, and be near the Florida east coast late Monday, the National Hurricane Center said in a morning bulletin.
Data from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Hunter plane indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 145 mph with higher gusts. Although fluctuations in intensity are possible early next week, Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few days, the center said.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas, while Andros Island is on hurricane watch. A hurricane watch may be issued for portions of the east coast of Florida later Saturday.
Life-threatening storm surge and "devastating" hurricane-force winds are still possible along portions of the Florida east coast by the early to middle part of next week, the center warned. However since Dorian is forecast to slow down and turn northward near the coast, it is too soon to determine when or where the highest surge and winds will occur.
The center said the risk of strong winds and life-threatening storm surge is increasing along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina during the middle of next week.
Orlando International Airport announced that it would cease commercial flight operations at 2 a.m. Monday. The Florida Department of Transportation suspended SunRail service throughout next week. The U.S. Coast Guard advised pleasure craft to seek safe harbor, while all oceangoing commercial vessels and oceangoing barges greater than 500 gross tons were urged to make plans for departing the port.
