As of 4 a.m. Monday, Nicole had sustained winds of 45 mph, and is moving north-northwest at 14 mph. The storm is about 555 miles east of the northwestern Bahamas.
Subtropical Storm Nicole formed early Monday northeast of the Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center, and it’s forecast to affect Florida later in the week.
Nicole is forecast to be a large storm
“Nicole is forecast to be a large storm,” the hurricane center said in an advisory early Monday, and impacts include coastal flooding, tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rains and rough surf along Florida’s east coast.
The hurricane center says Nicole could be at “hurricane strength” when it moves near the northwestern Bahamas and the east coast of Florida Wednesday and Thursday,” bringing the potential of damaging storm surge.