Hurricane Danielle strengthens to Category 3 storm, reaches major hurricane status

Hurricane Danielle becomes Category 3 storm

MIAMI — Forecasts say Hurricane Danielle has reached major hurricane status.

National Hurricane Center forecasters said early Friday that Danielle had strengthened to a Category 3 storm. It has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph).

Forecasters say swells churned up by Danielle could reach parts of the U.S. East Coast by the weekend and that dangerous surf conditions are expected in Bermuda, though the eye will likely move well east of the island.

Farther east, Tropical Storm Earl is racing west over the Atlantic with winds near 45 mph (75 kph). Forecasters expect Earl to become a hurricane by early Saturday. Another system is following Earl’s tract and could become a depression soon.

In the Pacific off Mexico’s coast, Hurricane Frank has winds of 85 mph (140 kph).