84-Degree Ocean Waters Will Turn Sam Into A Major Hurricane On Saturday

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Hurricane Sam has not triggered any storm warnings or watches, but with the storm predicted to reach major hurricane status on Saturday, forecasters are keeping a close eye.

NOAA/Esri/HERE/Garmin/Earthstar Geographics

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NOAA/Esri/HERE/Garmin/Earthstar Geographics

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Hurricane Sam is expected to reach major hurricane status on Saturday and maintain much of its strength for days afterward.

National Weather Service

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National Weather Service

Hurricane Sam is expected to reach major hurricane status on Saturday and maintain much of its strength for days afterward.

National Weather Service

While Sam is predicted to grow precipitously, satellite images from Friday showed the storm has a small albeit well-developed inner core, extending hurricane-force winds only 15 miles from its center.

7th hurricane comes early in the Atlantic season

Sam is the seventh hurricane of the Atlantic season.

«The long-term (1991-2020) average date for the 7th Atlantic hurricane formation is 16 November, according to meteorologist Philip Klotzbach.

Scientists expect hurricanes to get more intense as a result of global warming.

«It’s very simple physics: As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more moisture — and that means more fuel for rainfall and storms, according to Tripti Bhattacharya, an assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences at Syracuse University.