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Elsa upgraded to hurricane, could have possible US impacts starting Monday into Tuesday

Hurricane Elsa Friday 8 a.m. advisory for Hurricane Elsa

ATLANTA — This year’s hurricane season was predicted to be active - and it’s certainly living up to that prediction.

The fifth-named storm of the year, Elsa, formed in the Atlantic on Thursday. It is the fastest that we’ve ever gotten to five named storms in the Atlantic, breaking last year’s record.

On Friday, the storm officially became the season’s first hurricane. Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brad Nitz said that the storm currently has sustained wind of 74 mph and a gust to 86 mph.

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Nitz said that Elsa will be one to watch as it moves across the Caribbean over the next several days. Possible impacts on the U.S. could start as early as late Monday into Tuesday.

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season was predicted to have as many as 17 named storms, including eight potential hurricanes, four of which could be classified as major.

If the forecast holds, the 2021 season would be the United States’ sixth consecutive one labeled “above normal,” with the average Atlantic hurricane season generating 12 tropical storms, six of which are classified as hurricanes.

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