Major Hurricane: Earl in The Atlantic 8.30.2010 @ 2:52P ET

Hurricane Earl continues to impact the east coast with rough seas as it becomes a major hurricane forecasted to pass close to the coastline of the eastern US. Although landfall in the southeastern US is not expected, boaters and swimmers need to take caution due to the rough surf and life threatening dangerous currents. Take a look at our coverage of the surf and satellite images of Earl.

The forecast calls for Earl to continue as a major hurricane with winds between 125-135 mph. This is a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Additional strengthening will take place over the next 3 days as the system moves west-northwest around 15 mph. Latest pressure appears to be 955mb at a minimum. On the eastern coast of Florida wave heights were observed 5-8 feet near shore which means extreme danger for swimmers. Even seasoned swimmers and surfers can quickly drown in turbulent, heavy surf, strong current environments.


Beach patrol officials were reportedly asking people to stay out of the water for the rest of this week until the ocean calms down. Rough surf is expected all this week as direct impacts from distant hurricane swells hit the shoreline directly east-west. Dangerous rip currents will also exist. One surfer has already lost his life near Cocoa Beach, Florida over this past weekend due to drowning in the rough seas.

Visit the National Hurricane Center for more current hurricane information and the latest warnings.

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