Weather forecasts reported news about two major storms near the Gulf and East coasts of North America. Extreme weather conditions are expected to develop today and Wednesday.

According to the advisory issued on 28 August by the National Hurricane Centre (NHC), Hurricane Franklin developed into a category 3 hurricane after winds increased to near 185 km/h. The NHC noted that “a gradual turn toward the north and north-northeast with a slightly faster forward speed is expected during the next couple of days.”

Kuehne+Nagel sources confirmed, that the location of Hurricane Franklin has moved offshore in the early hours of today and is, therefore, no longer expected to make landfall in the US unless it takes a drastic turn.

In the meantime, the Gulf Coast of Florida is bracing for Tropical Storm Idalia. The NHC advised the public in a tweet that Idalia “is forecast to become a dangerous major hurricane over the NE Gulf of Mexico by early Wednesday.”

Florida’s west coast could experience storm surges and flash floods, while heavy rainfall is expected in western Cuba. Ports in Tampa, Jacksonville, Savannah, Charleston and Brunswick are likely to be affected by the storm as it moves towards the region.

Tampa Port announced that the US Coast Guard has set the port condition to "YANKEE," which means gale force winds are possible within 12 hours. The port added, "Inbound vessel traffic to Port Tampa Bay is currently closed."

The Port of Jacksonville advised customers that "sustained gale force winds associated with tropical cyclone activity are predicted within 72 hours," but did not provide further details about operations at the port.