Article first published: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, 4 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, 4 p.m. ET

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 4 pm Thursday advisory, Kirk has become a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 130 mph after intensifying from a Category 3 hurricane. Category 4 Hurricane Kirk is 1085 miles east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands and 1655 miles southwest of the Azores, with maximum sustained wind of 130 mph. It’s moving 12 mph to the northwest.

“A turn toward the north and north-northeast at a faster forward speed is forecast over the weekend.” according to meteorologists. “Some additional strengthening is forecast the next day or so.”

Kirk has reached new heights of intensity and has upgraded from a Category 3 hurricane into a Category 4 hurricane, with winds blowing at 130 miles per hour.

YESTERDAY (Wednesday):

Yesterday, Kirk became a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph after intensifying from a Category 1 hurricane.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

SURF: Swells generated by Kirk are spreading westward and are expected to reach portions of the Leeward Islands on Friday, Bermuda and the Greater Antilles on Saturday, and the east coast of the United States and the Bahamas on Sunday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center