Florence rapidly intensifying, expected to approach Carolinas this week
12:30pm Update: Florence has strengthened into a powerful Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130mph. Additional rapid intensification is expected today, as the upper-level atmospheric environment becomes more favorable over the system. Shear, which has inhibited the systems development thus far, will be greatly reduced, allowing for improved upper-level outflow ventilation as the storm moves over warmer waters.