Hurricane Dorian could be powerful Category 3 when it hits U.S. mainland — latest track, path, weather forecast, trajectory – CBS News

Hurricane Dorian was getting stronger as it set its sights on the U.S. mainland early Thursday, churning over open waters. “Strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Dorian is expected to become a major hurricane on Friday,” the National Hurricane Center said.

Dorian became a Category 1 hurricane just before making landfall on the U.S. Virgin Islands Wednesday, causing power outages and minor flooding. Puerto Rico avoided a direct hit, dodging a bullet.

The storm was on a path likely take it to Florida’s Atlantic coast, though an arrival farther north wasn’t out of the question. It could make landfall on the U.S. mainland as a Category 3 storm late Sunday or Monday morning, forecasters said.

On its current track, Dorian “should move over the Atlantic well east of the southeastern and central Bahamas today and on Friday, and approach the northwestern Bahamas on Saturday,” the hurricane center said.

As of 5 a.m. EDT Thursday, Dorian’s center was some 150 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico as it headed northwest at 13 mph, the hurricane center said. Dorian’s sustained winds increased to 85 mph, with higher gusts.