Travellers to the US have been warned about the first major Atlantic hurricane of the year due to hit east coast states this week.
Tropical Storm Arthur is forecast to affect the eastern coastline of central and northern Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina until tomorrow (Thursday).
It is then expected to intensify into a hurricane affecting North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and possibly further north until later in the weekend depending on the track of the storm.
This means it is on course to affect the July 4 holiday weekend in many states, with winds of up to 80 mph predicted by CNN forecasters.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which issued the warning in an updated travel advisory, said: “High winds, heavy rain, rough seas and flooding is expected. Sporadic tornadoes are possible.
“You should monitor weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities, including if ordered to evacuate.
“The hurricane season normally runs from June to November and can affect US coastal regions.”
Tropical Storm Arthur was about 90 miles south east of Cape Canaveral in Florida and 95 miles north-northwest of Freeport in the Bahamas last night.