Tracking the tropics: Three hurricanes brewing in the Atlantic

MIAMI (FOX 35 WOFL) - The tropics are very active this Monday, as three hurricanes are present in the Atlantic. 

HURRICANE FLORENCE

Florence has become even stronger over the Atlantic Ocean.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say Florence rapidly intensified Monday morning to a potentially catastrophic Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 130 miles per hour (mph).

Florence had reached Category 3 strength earlier Monday, but data from hurricane hunter aircraft indicate the storm is quickly getting stronger as it moves over warm Atlantic waters.

Forecasters say the hurricane's strength is expected to fluctuate but it still will be a dangerous storm by the time it reaches the coast of South Carolina or North Carolina on Thursday.

As of noon, Florence was centered about 575 miles south-southeast of Bermuda, moving west at 13 mph 

"Further strengthening is anticipated, and Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday," the National Hurricane Center said. "On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the coast of South Carolina or North Carolina on Thursday."

For more on Hurricane Florence, visit HERE.

HURRICANE HELENE

Hurricane Helene is moving west-northwest over the eastern Atlantic and is strengthening quickly over the tropical Atlantic. It is expected to become a major hurricane by Monday night. 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Hurricane Helene is currently located about 375 miles west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands. It is moving at 16 miles per hour (mph), with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, making it a Category 2 hurricane.  A northwestward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected for Hurricane Helene through late Tuesday. It will then turn north-northwest on Wednesday and Thursday.

The NHC's 11 a.m. advisory says that Helene is forecasted to become a major hurricane by Monday night. Steady weakening is forecasted to begin by late Tuesday. 

For more on Hurricane Helene, visit HERE.

HURRICANE ISAAC

Hurricane Isaac, the fifth-named hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, is holding steady in strength over the Central Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says that Hurricane Isaac is located about 1150 miles east of the Windward Islands. It is moving west at 14 miles per hour (mph) and has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. Isaac will move westward and have a slight increase in forward speed through the end of the week. It is forecasted to move across the Lesser Antilles and into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Thursday.

The NHC's 11 a.m. advisory says that additional strengthening is expected for Hurricane Isaac is expected over the next day or two. Weakening is forecasted to begin by the middle of the week, as Isaac approaches the Lesser Antilles.

For more on Hurricane Isaac, visit HERE.

On Monday, a tropical wave of disorganized showers and storms was discovered. The wave is moving slowly toward the western Gulf of Mexico and has a 40% chance of developing into at least a Tropical Depression this week.

Be sure to keep up with the latest on the 2018 Hurricane Season HERE. And you can download your Hurricane Guide in English HERE or in Spanish HERE.   

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The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this story.