11 p.m Tuesday Update: Katia Loses Some Strength

[Update 11 p.m. Tuesday] Hurricane Katia is expected to pass between Bermuda and the East coast of the United State over the next day or two, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. Although Katia has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm, maximum sustained winds are now 105 mph.  A tropical storm watch is currently in effect for Bermuda with tropical storm conditions possible. Katia is moving toward the northwest near 9 mph.  Hurricane force winds are extending out 80 miles from the center of the storm.

[Update 5 p.m. Tuesday] According to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla., Hurricane Katia has been downgraded to Category 2 strength, but still presents with severe rip current risks along the East Coast of the United States. Katia is moving to the northwest at 10 mph and will turn in a north-northwest, north direction tomorrow night and into Thursday. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Bermuda for the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds are now near 105 mph with higher gusts. Gradual weakening could occur on Thursday.

[Update 3 p.m. Tuesday] A hurricane hunter plane has found that Hurricane Katia has become a bit weaker than earlier today. Maximum sustained winds have dropped to 115 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla.  A tropical storm watch is now in effect for Bermuda with rainfall of 1-2 inches expected. Katia is currently moving in a northwesterly direction at 9 mph. The Category 3 storm is expected to turn toward a north-northwest direction and north by Thursday and begin affecting the East Coast at that time. Life-threatening surf and rip tides will continue.

[Update 11 a.m. Tuesday] According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., Hurricane Katia has weakened a bit since this morning. Maximum sustained winds of the Category 3 storm are 120 mph. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Bermuda with strong rip currents. Hurricane force winds are extending out 65 miles from the center of the storm and tropical storm warnings are extending out 205 miles.

[Update 9 a.m. Tuesday] Hurricane Katia has been declared
a ‘major hurricane’ by the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. It continues to move steadily northwestward with dangerous rip currents along beaches on the East coast of the United States with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. Katia is a Category 3 hurricane. Some fluctuations in strength are expected. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 mph and tropical storm winds extend outward up to 205 miles.

[Update 5 p.m. Monday] Hurricane Katia has now become a Category 3 major hurricane, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. The biggest threat from the storm continues to be dangerous rip currents along the East Coast and Bermuda. Maximum sustained winds are 115 mph as the storm moves in a westerly direction at 12 mph. Strengthening is expected overnight tonight and into Wednesday morning. Hurricane force winds are now extending out 60 miles. Tropical storm winds are now extending out up to 205 miles. Strong rip tides and currents will continue to affect the East coast.

[Update 11 a.m. Monday] Hurricane Katia has gained strength and has developed a large eye, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. Maximum sustained winds of the Category 2 hurricane are now 110 mph as the storm moves in a westerly direction at 13 mph. Additional strengthening is expected and the NHC believes Katia could become a major hurricane later today, with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 60 miles and tropical storm winds extending outward up to 125 miles. Residents of the East coast of the United States should start to see the storms affects by today with swells causing life-threatening surf and strong rip current conditions.

[Update 8 a.m. Monday] Hurricane Katia has become slightly weaker overnight and the storm continues to move steadily northwest at 12 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. Katia remains a Category 2 hurricane and some strengthening is still forecast in the next 48 hours. It is still expected to become a major hurricane by tomorrow. Hurricane force winds extend outward to 45 mph and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. Large swells generated by Katia are expected to begin to affect most of the East coast of the United States. These swells will cause strong rip tides and surf.

[Update 11 p.m. Sunday] Hurricane Katia continues to be listed by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla as a strong Category 2 hurricane. It continues to move in a northwesterly direction at 13 mph and is expected to cause hazardous surf in portions of the East Coast of the United States.  Katia continues to exhibit maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and even higher gusts.  The NHC predicts Katia will become a major storm Monday. Hurricane force winds extend out 45 miles from the center of the storm and tropical storm winds extend out 175 miles. Large swells generated by Katia are expected to affect parts of the East coast of the United States as well as east-facing beachs of the Bahamas during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and strong rip current conditions.

[Update 5 p.m. Sunday] Hurricane Katia continues to gather strength and now presents a threat of rip currents increasing along the East coast of the U.S. over the next few days, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. Maximum sustained winds are now 105 mph as the hurricane moves at 12 mph in a northwesterly direction. Katia remains a Category 2 hurricane with the likelihood of the storm strength increasing over the next 48 hours. Large swells generated by Katia are expected to affect east-facing beaches of the United States during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

[Update 11:30 a.m. Sunday] The National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. reports Tropical Storm Katia has intensified in the last three  hours and is now a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, although gusts have been reported at 107 mph. It continues to move towards the northwest near 12 mph. It is expected to strengthen even more and the NHC is reporting it could become a major hurricane on Monday. Hurricane force winds extend out 45 miles from the center of the storm and tropical storm winds extend out 175 miles from the center of the storm.

[Update 8 a.m. Sunday] Hurricane Katia is Tropical Storm Katia yet again, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 70 mph. The NHC believes Katia will return to Category 1 hurricane status sometime today. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. The storm is moving closer to Bermuda and could affect conditions there beginning Sunday or early Monday. Life-threatening surf and strong rip tides will occur.

[Update 5 p.m.] Hurricane Katia is Tropical Storm Katia yet again, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 70 mph. Flucuations in intensity are possible over the next day or so, meaning Katia could restrengthen back to hurricane force at any time. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles. The storm is moving closer to Bermuda and could affect conditions there beginning tonight or Sunday. Life-threatening surf and strong rip tides will occur.

[Update 12 p.m. Saturday] Hurricance Katia continues to move in a northwesterly direction at 10 mph with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. Katia, a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to strengthen this weekend and is expected to start adversely affecting Bermuda later tonight or tomorrow. Hurricane force winds extend out 35 mile from the center of the storm while tropical storm force winds now extend out 175 mile from the center of the storm mainly to the north and east of the center. Katia has arrived in Lesser Antilles and brought life-threatening surf and riptides.

[Update 9 a.m. Saturday] Hurricance Katia continues to move in a northwesterly direction at 10 mph with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. Katia, a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to strengthen this weekend. Hurricane force winds extend out 35 mile from the center of the storm while tropical storm force winds now extend out 175 mile from the center of the storm mainly to the north and east of the center. Katia has arrived in Lesser Antilles and brought life-threatening surf and riptides.

[Update 5:30 p.m. Friday] Hurricane Katia is a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center located in Miami, Fla. It continues to move in a west-northwesterly direction at 12 mph. Some strengthening is forecast over the next 48 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles, while tropical force winds extend outward up to 175 mph. Hurricane Katia will affect the Lesser Antilles beginning late tonight with life-threatening surf and rip currents.

[UPDATE 11:30 a.m.] Tropical Storm Katia is now Hurricane Katia yet again as it regained Category 1 hurricane status with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. It continues to move in a west-northwesterly direction at 14 mph. It is expected to strengthen even more over the next 48 hours. Hurricane force winds now extend up to 35 miles from the center of the hurricane with lower tropical storm winds extending out 135 miles from the center of the hurricane. The hurricane will begin to be felt in the Lesser Antilles later today with rough surf and strong riptides.

[Update 8:15 a.m. Friday] Tropical Storm Katia continues to move in a west-northwesterly direction near 15 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. The storm has maximum sustained winds near 70 mph, but is expected to return to hurricane levels (above 74 mph) again over the weekend. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 mile from the center of the storm and are expected to begin affecting the Lesser Antilles by later today, causing strong rip tides and life-threatening surf.

[Update 11 p.m.] Tropical Storm Katia continues to travel in a west-northwesterly direction with maximum sustained approaching 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. The storm is moving at 16 mph over the open Atlantic. Indications are the storm will regain hurricane strength in the next day or so. Tropical force winds are extending out 140 miles from the center of the storm, and will affect the Lesser Antilles with stronger rip tides and currents beginning late Friday.

[Updated 4:30 p.m.] Hurricane Katia has weakened into a tropical storm, but is expected to restrengthen shortly. According to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla., sustained winds have dropped below the 75 mph necessary to classify Katia as a Category 1 hurricane. Winds are now 70 mph and Katia continues moving at 18 mph in a west-northwest direction. Currently, Katia has tropical storm winds of nearly 70 mph extending out more than a 140 miles from the center of the storm. Winds are expected to increase and the storm should return to hurricane levels in the next 48 hours. Strong rip tides and currents remain as the storm inches closer to the Lesser Antilles Friday night.

[Update 11 a.m.] Hurricane Katia continues to move west at 18 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. It continues to move in a west-northwest direction. Maximum sustained winds are 75 mph. Katia is a Category 1 hurricane with hurricane force winds extending out 25 miles from the eye of the hurricane with tropical storm force winds extending out from the center of the hurricane to 125 miles. Strong rip currents and life-threatening surf have now reached the Lesser Antilles.

[Update 8 a.m. Thursday] Hurricane Katia has changed little in the overnight hours. The Category 1 hurricane continues to travel in west-northwesterly direction at a speed of near 20 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. The National Hurricane Center says some strengthening is forecast in the next 48 hours and Katia could become a “major hurricane by the weekend.”

[Updated 11:30 p.m.] Tropical Storm Katia is now Hurricane Katia, the second hurricane of the season, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. 

Katia is moving in a west-northwest direction at 20 mph. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph with higher gusts. 

Katia is a Category 1 hurricane with additional strengthening expected in the next 48 hours, according to the NHC. It could become a major hurricane by the weekend.

Currently it has major hurricane force winds extending out 25 miles from its center with tropical storm force winds extending out 125 miles from its center. 

[Updated 5 p.m.] Tropical Storm Katia continues to grow in size and wind magnitude, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla.

All indications is the tropical storm will grow into a hurricane later tonight as the maximum winds continue to increase and are near 70 mph now with higher gusts possible.

The storm continues moving in a west-northwest direction at 20 mph. Storm speed will gradually slow over the next 48 hours.

Winds are now extending out 125 miles from the eye of the storm. 

The next advisory from the NHC will be at 11 p.m. tonight. 

Patch will update this story.