Hurricane Hermine Forecast, Path: Possible Impact in Virginia, DC, Maryland

Newly-classified Hurricane Hermine appears likely to head into the Atlantic Ocean before reaching the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore region, but there is still some uncertainty to the storm's path, according to local forecasters.

The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Hermine was located in the Gulf of Mexico near 2 p.m., with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was moving on a north-northeast track at 14 mph.

It's expected to make landfall overnight Thursday in the Florida Panhandle and cross Georgia and the Carolinas Friday and Saturday morning. Storm warnings have already been issued on the Carolina coast.

The current path would then see the storm move off into the Atlantic near the Outer Banks or possibly Virginia Beach. There is still a possibility of impacts from the storm in the D.C. region, but it shouldn't be a direct hit.

But local forecasters with the National Weather Service encourage residents to continue monitoring forecasts for this storm. "Any slight change in the track will have a significant impact on the forecast," according to a weather service forecast.

It's likely the storm will then stall out over the Atlantic, possibly directly east of the region. That would more likely impact beach travelers for the Labor Day weekend, rather than the local forecast.

Read more: Hurricane Hermine Intensifies On Way to Florida's Gulf Coast

Hurricane Hermine developed during the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season’s traditional peak. The season peaks each year between mid-August and mid-October. The period is described as the “season within the season” by forecasters. This eight-week period “is often the most active and dangerous time for tropical cyclone activity,” NOAA explained on its website.

The eight-week period is historically responsible for major spikes in tropical weather activity, NOAA said. In fact, it accounts for about 78 percent of all tropical storm days on record. It is also the period when 87 percent of the Category 1 and 2 hurricane days on record occurred. In addition, this period is responsible for “a whopping 96 percent of the major (Category 3, 4 and 5) hurricane days.”

Includes reporting by Sherri Lonon

Images courtesy of the National Hurricane Center