At 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Erin was located
near latitude 27.7 North, longitude 73.0 West. Erin is moving toward
the north-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). This motion with an
increase in forward speed is expected for the rest of tonight
followed by a northward motion on Wednesday and then a
northeastward motion on Thursday. On the forecast track, the
center of Erin will pass to the east of the Bahamas tonight, and
then move over the western Atlantic between the U.S. east coast and
Bermuda on Wednesday and Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher
gusts. Satellite imagery and reports from an Air Force Reserve
Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Erin is getting better
organized, and slow strengthening is expected through Thursday
night.
Erin is a large hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up
to 80 miles (130 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds
extend outward up to 230 miles (370 km).
The minimum central pressure estimated from the Hurricane Hunter
aircraft data is 959 mb (28.32 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Erin can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT5 and WMO header WTNT45 KNHC.
RAINFALL: Rainfall will be diminishing across the Bahamas tonight.
Heavy rainfall is possible on the Outer Banks of North Carolina
Wednesday night into Thursday, with the potential for 1 to 2 inches.
For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall and flash flooding
associated with Erin, please see the National Weather Service Storm
Total Rainfall Graphic, available at
hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?rainqpf
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of the
North Carolina Outer Banks beginning late Wednesday or Wednesday
night. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area
north of Duck, North Carolina to Cape Charles Light beginning
Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in Bermuda
beginning Thursday.
SURF: Swells generated by Erin will affect the Bahamas, Bermuda,
the east coast of the United States, and Atlantic Canada during the
next several days. These rough ocean conditions are expected to
cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. Please consult
products from your local weather forecast office for more
information.
A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found
at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?ripCurrents
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the
tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by
rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could
reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated
areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
Cape Lookout to Duck, North Carolina...2 to 4 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast where the
surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.
Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge
and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For
information specific to your area, please see products issued by
your local National Weather Service forecast office.
Comments