Subtropical Storm Nicole is forecast to continue to strengthen and could become a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches Florida’s east coast Wednesday through Thursday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center’s Monday morning update.
A hurricane watch is in effect along Florida’s east coast, from the Volusia/Brevard county line to Hallandale Beach, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The alert extends from north of Miami to the region known as the Space Coast and includes Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Cape Canaveral and Melbourne.
A storm surge watch has also been issued for parts of Florida and Georgia from Altamaha Sound to Hallandale Beach.
Subtropical Storm Nicole formed in the southwestern Atlantic on Monday.
Nicole is expected to become more tropical as it moves over the western Atlantic and approaches the Bahamas over the next 24 to 36 hours. This should allow it to become a tropical storm, rather than subtropical (subtropical indicates that Nicole currently contains features of both a tropical system and a frontal storm system that traditionally moves across the US).
Warmer-than-normal ocean waters in the region will allow it to strengthen as it develops and could lead to the formation of a rare hurricane in November.
The last hurricane to hit Florida, or any part of the US, in November was Hurricane Kate in 1985.