Weather

Hurricane Florence expected to strengthen, takes aim at the Carolinas

Hurricane Florence appears to be taking aim at the largest U.S. Marine Corps base on the East Coast.

Camp Lejeune has an extensive beachfront about 50 miles northeast of Wilmington and it's well within the National Hurricane Center's forecast "cone."

MORE COVERAGE FROM THE CAROLINAS: Latest from WSOC-TV In Charlotte

The hurricane's path was still far from certain Monday. The rapidly intensifying storm could strike a direct and dangerous blow anywhere from the Carolinas to the Mid-Atlantic region later this week, possibly as a fearsome category 4.

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TALKING THE TROPICS WITH MIKE: Since a recurve looks very unlikely, major to severe impacts can be expected on the South Carolina and North Carolina coasts.

As for the forecast models, there was a notable shift north over the weekend, but seemingly a recent stabilization pointing to the Carolinas. This could be because of the aircraft analysis that was ingested into the computer models Sat./Sunday.

Virtually all reliable global models are -- for now -- not far from Myrtle Beach. The UKMET model has shown the greatest shift north and is even north of the European and GFS models.

MAP: Florence continues to creep towards the East Coast -- at 9 mph

MAP: Florence continues to creep towards the East Coast -- at 9 mph. Rapidly intensifying Hurricane Florence could strike a direct and dangerous blow anywhere from the Carolinas to the Mid-Atlantic region later this week, possibly as a fearsome category 4: http://bit.ly/2CLxdM6

Posted by Action News Jax on Monday, September 10, 2018