Hurricane season is in full swing

Florence weakened from a Category 4 storm to back below hurricane status in the past day but it's expected to intensify in the middle of next week.

"Florence is likely to re-attain hurricane status in about 48 hours and then potentially major hurricane strength by days 4-5," the latest forecast says. "A new mid-level ridge is expected to develop over the western Atlantic on days 4-5, but the position of that high will play a big role regarding how much Florence may turn by the end of the forecast period."

The risk of a direct impact along the US east coast has increased but the NHC says there is still a very large uncertainty in the model.

The storm is entirely unlikely to hit oil production or delivery terminals but it may have economic impacts.

Separately, the NHC expects two more storms to form in short order with Disturbance 1 holding a 90% chance of becoming a cyclone and Potential Cyclone 8 is expected to be a tropical storm that hits the Cabo Verde islands in 35-48 hours.