Still too early to know Irma’s effect on SoFla

Hurricane Irma continues its westward journey over the Atlantic Ocean, fluctuating in strength but remaining powerful, according to the National Hurricane Center. It’s still too early to say how South Florida will be affected.

The hurricane dropped in strength from a Category 3 to a Category 2 overnight, slowing from 115 mph Friday night to 110 mph by Saturday afternoon, according to the NHC. Forecasters expect the hurricane’s winds to strengthen in the next two days, potentially climbing to a Category 3 or 4 by Labor Day.

As of Saturday evening, Irma was about 1,135 miles east of the Leeward Islands, moving west at 15 mph. It is expected to slow slightly and turn westsouthwest over the next two days, according to the hurricane center. The agency said the northern Caribbean islands “should monitor the progress of Irma.”

“Fluctuations in strength, up or down, are possible during the next couple of days, but Irma is expected to remain a powerful hurricane into early next week,” the NHC said in a Saturday update.

Forecaster Tim Sedlock at the National Weather Center in Melbourne said the storm’s current track is taking it north of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, but both islands should expect to feel the effects of the storm as early as Wednesday.

But Sedlock said it’s too early to determine how Irma will affect Florida, although the storm’s movements suggest it will stay off the state’s east coast.

At its current speed, the storm would not reach Florida until next weekend. However, he said, Floridians could experience stormy conditions.

“The storm’s consistency keeps it off the Florida coast, but [the coast] could see increased rip currents over the next couple of days,” Sedlock said.

Hurricane-force winds extend out about 25 miles from Irma’s center. Tropical storm winds reach out 70 miles from the hurricane.

On Friday, Alberto Moscoso, communications director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said his office is in “constant communication” with all counties and is coordinating with federal agencies.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management says it’s always a good idea to be prepared during hurricane season.

They recommend keeping three to seven days’ worth of water and nonperishable food in disaster supply kits.

Sedlock added that people should keep watching the situation and know where to go in case of an emergency evacuation.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in May predicted 11-17 named tropical systems with a minimum of 38 mph winds for the 2017 season.

Five to nine of those were predicted to achieve hurricane status with 74 mph winds, and two to four of those would be Category 3 or stronger with at least 111 mph winds.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.