Maria remains a strong Category 3 storm
(WWBT) - Hurricane Maria, which had weakened to a Category 2 storm on Wednesday, is back to a Category 3 on Thursday.
As of 11 p.m., the storm was packing winds of 125 mph as it starts to move northwest at 8 mph
By later tomorrow into the weekend, Maria will encounter less favorable atmospheric conditions along its journey and this should allow for some slow weakening.
The track of the center of the storm is expected to remain offshore of the East Coast of the U.S., but the coast may see battering waves, dangerous rip currents, beach erosion, and there may be some potential for coastal flooding.
As Maria makes its closest approach to Virginia by late Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, it's possible the far western edge of Maria's circulation could bring some cloudiness and perhaps a few showers over far eastern Virginia. However, this doesn't look to be anything of significance at this point.
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