Former Tropical Storm Sam strengthened to a hurricane over the Tropical Atlantic Ocean early on Friday. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Sam was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 42.2°W which put it about 1470 miles (2365 km) east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. Sam moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Sam strengthened to a hurricane early on Friday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern side of the center of Hurricane Sam. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions. The circulation around Hurricane Sam was relatively small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Sam. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Sam will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Sam will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Sam will continue to intensify during the next 48 hours. Sam could intensify rapidly after an inner core with an eye and an eyewall fully form. Hurricane Sam could intensify to a major hurricane during the weekend.

Hurricane Sam will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high will steer Sam toward the west-northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track Hurricane Sam could approach the Northern Leeward Islands by the middle of next week. Sam could be a major hurricane at that time.