Hurricane Sam was a strong Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, but forecasters predicted it had reached its peak strength by late Sunday night.
Sam was situated far offshore of land on Monday morning, aHurricanebout 800 miles (1,290 kilometres) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands, according to a hurricane warning from the National Hurricane Center of the United States. It was moving northwest at a speed of 8 miles per hour (13 kph).
Despite having maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour (215 kilometres per hour), Sam was a Category 4 storm. Forecasters predicted that the currency’s strength will remain stable over the next few days, followed by a gradual decline over the next few weeks. From now through midweek, Sam is predicted to maintain its significant hurricane status (Category 3 or above).
A tiny tropical storm, according to the Miami-based hurricane centre, Sam had hurricane-force winds that extended outward just 30 miles (48 kilometres) from its core.
Despite the fact that no coastal watches or warnings were in place, authorities warned that waves from Hurricane Sam may result in hazardous rip current conditions off the coast of the Lesser Antilles as early as this week.