Franklin no longer forecast to be a Category 3 hurricane. It weakened to a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday

Article first published: Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, 5 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, 8 a.m. ET

The National Hurricane Center's 8 am Wednesday advisory reported that the Category 3 hurricane Franklin has weakened into a Category 2 hurricane.

Category 2 Hurricane Franklin is 180 miles west-northwest of Bermuda, with maximum sustained wind of 110 mph. It’s moving 13 mph to the northeast.

"On Thursday, Franklin is forecast to turn toward the east-northeast." according to forecasters. "On the forecast track, the center of Franklin is expected to pass to the northwest of Bermuda today." They also said "Gradual weakening is forecast over the next several days."

YESTERDAY (Tuesday):

Yesterday, Franklin lost momentum and regressed from a Category 4 hurricane to a Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 110 miles per hour.

Bermuda under a tropical storm warning, forecasters report.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

- Bermuda

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case beginning later today.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

SURF: Life-threatening surf and rip currents generated by Franklin are affecting Bermuda and the east coast of the United States. These conditions are expected to continue during the next couple of days.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach Bermuda this morning, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Source: National Hurricane Center

This story was originally published August 29, 2023 at 10:04 AM.