Florence set to become major hurricane, aims at US Southeast

Map shows probable path of Hurricane Florence. ; 1c x 3 inches; 46.5 mm x 76 mm;

Tropical Storm Florence is expected become a "major hurricane" Monday as it continues to approach the southeastern U.S. East Coast.

In its 11 p.m. EDT advisory, the National Hurricane Center said "a rapid phase of intensification" was expected to begin Sunday.

Florence is expected to travel between Bermuda and the Bahamas on Tuesday and Wednesday before approaching the southeastern U.S. coast on Thursday.

The Miami-based weather center says Florence's maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 90 mph (150 kph). The storm is centered about 685 miles (1,100 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda and moving west at 7 mph (11 kph).