Hurricane Could Bring Wind, Rain to Region

Hurricane Irene has picked up speed and is now a major hurricane with winds peaking at 115 mph. 

The storm is now a Category 3 hurricane and will continue to gain strength today as it moves north and west from the Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Hurricane Irene may strike Northern Virginia early Sunday morning. As the hurricane bypasses Florida, it is expected to weaken and become a Category 2 hurricane before landing in the Carolinas early Saturday.

From then, the storm might quickly move to the Chesapeake Bay area, hitting Northern Virginia just before dawn on Sunday, bringing with it gusts of wind and rain. The impact to the region is expected to be minor to moderate, according to local forecasts.

The exact path of the hurricane is still unclear; some experts believe it will remain over the ocean.