According to the National Hurricane Center in its 5:00am update, the center of Hurricane Sam was located near latitude 11.5 North, longitude 42.2 West. Sam is moving toward the west near 15 mph (24 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue through tonight.

A decrease in forward speed and a motion toward the west-northwest are expected over the weekend.

According to the NHC, sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts.

Rapid intensification is forecast to continue, and Sam is likely to become a major hurricane tonight or early Saturday, September 25, 2021.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles(95 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 993 mb (29.33 inches).

Hurricane Sam is the 7th Hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season.