Photo: NOAA
At 10pm EST, the center of Nicole is forecast to approach the northwestern Bahamas overnight, move near or over those islands on Wednesday, and approach the east coast of
Florida within the hurricane warning area Wednesday night or early Thursday. Nicole's center is then expected to move across central and northern Florida into southern Georgia Thursday and Thursday night.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected during the next day or so, and Nicole is forecast to become a hurricane later tonight and remain a hurricane when it reaches the east coast of Florida.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 380 miles (610 km)from the center.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* The Abacos, Berry Islands, Bimini, and Grand Bahama Island in the northwestern Bahamas
* Boca Raton to Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Andros Island, New Providence, and Eleuthera in the northwestern Bahamas
* Hallandale Beach Florida to Boca Raton Florida
* Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
* Lake Okeechobee
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* North Palm Beach Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
* Mouth of the St. Johns River to Georgetown Florida
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Hallandale Beach to Boca Raton Florida
* Lake Okeechobee
* Flagler/Volusia County Line to Ponte Vedra Beach
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* South of North Palm Beach to Hallandale Beach Florida
* Altamaha Sound Georgia to South Santee River South Carolina
* Anclote River Florida to Indian Pass Florida
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* South of Hallandale Beach to north of Ocean Reef Florida
* North of Bonita Beach to the Ochlockonee River Florida
* North of Altamaha Sound Georgia to South Santee River South Carolina.