(RNN) - Watch out for the fake Hurricame Irma forecasts floating around social media.
The National Weather Service tweeted out a warning about fake news Friday, noting that an official NOAA hurricane forecast only covers five days.
Keep your eyes out for fake forecasts. THIS is what an official NOAA advisory looks like. Note: forecast only goes out 5 days. #Irma pic.twitter.com/9k87y7jkMz
— NWS (@NWS) September 1, 2017
Hurricane Irma, a strong storm in the Atlantic, is not yet a threat to land, though people are worried because of its westerly path that takes it ever closer to the U.S. next week.
It is uncertain where the hurricane will head and what part of the U.S. coast may be threatened.
One fake Hurricane Irma forecast showed the storm hitting Houston, which has already been hard-hit by floods from deadly, destructive Hurricane Harvey.
Nearly 40,000 shares on this fake Irma forecast on Facebook. There is no actual threat to any land in next 5 days. pic.twitter.com/hwmuE5UwKn
— Jon Passantino (@passantino) September 1, 2017
The Facebook post showing a fake Irma forecast using a NOAA has since been removed.
U.S. code 2074 said those publishing false weather reports using a government logo "Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ninety days, or both."
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