KYLE REGAINS TROPICAL STORM STRENGTH FOR FOURTH TIME;
KYLE APPROACHING THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST (See NOAA's National Hurricane Center for the latest information on this storm. Complete advisories are posted at 11 a.m., 5 p.m., 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. All times are Eastern. Advisories are posted more frequently as the storm nears the USA mainland.) October 11, 2002 — At 8 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Kyle was located near latitude 31.8 north, longitude 80.7 west or about 35 miles southeast of Savannah, Ga. Kyle is moving toward the north near 12 mph. This motion should bring the center of Kyle over the coast of southern South Carolina later Friday morning, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Kyle taken at 9:15 a.m. EDT on Oct. 11, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)
NOAA’s HURRICANE FACTS KYLE TIMELINE Sept. 21 — Kyle forms as a subtropical storm. Sept. 22 — Kyle becomes a tropical storm. Sept. 25 — Kyle becomes a Categor 1 hurricane. Sept. 27 — Kyle begins to weaken. Sept. 28 — Kyle downgraded to tropical storm. Sept. 30 — Kyle now a tropical depression. LONGEST-LIVED TROPICAL CYCLONE* The world record, Pacific basin: Hurricane/Typhoon John, Aug. 11- Sep.10, 1994 — 31 days For the Atlantic basin:
1) Ginger, 1971 — 27.25 days
2) Inga, 1969 — 24.75 days
3 ) Kyle 2002 — 21 days (as of 5 p.m. EDT 10/11/02)
4 ) Carrie 1957— 20.75 days
Storm 9 of 1893 —
5 ) Inez 1966 — 20.25 days
6 ) Alberto 2000 — 19.75 days
*NOAA measures the life of a tropical cyclone from when the first and last advisories are issued. Reports from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts mainly to the north and east of the center. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours as the center moves inland. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles to the northeast of the center.
The latest minimum central pressure reported by the hurricane hunter is 1008 mb, 29.77 inches. Tides of 1 to 2 feet above normal can be expected in the warning area near and to the northeast of where the center makes landfall. Rainfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches, with isolated higher amounts, can be expected in association with Kyle. Isolated tornadoes are possible near the South Carolina and southern North Carolina coasts Friday. The tropical storm warning is discontinued along the Georgia coast. A tropical storm warning remains in effect north of the Savannah River to Surf City, N.C., as of 8 a.m. EDT. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices.
At 5 p.m. EDT Friday, Kyle becomes the third longest-lived Atlantic basin tropical cyclone at 21 days. Ginger holds the record as the longest-lived tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin, which lasted 27.25 days. The longest-lived tropical cyclone was 1994's Hurricane/Typhoon John in the Pacific basin, which lasted 31 days and crossed two datelines. NOAA measures the life of a tropical cyclone from when the first and last advisories are issued.
Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.
Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here
NOAA's Atlantic Hurricanes Database — 150 Years of Atlantic Hurricanes
El Niño Expected to Impact Atlantic Hurricane Season, NOAA Reports
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
NOAA's River Forecast Centers
NOAA's Flood Products
NOAA Rainfall Graphics
24-hour Observed Precipitation as of 8 a.m. today
Latest rainfall data as of 8 a.m. EDT today
NOAA Buoys NOAA's Tides Online
NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views
Colorized Satellite Images
NOAA 3-D Satellite Images
NOAA's Hurricanes Page
NOAA's Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404
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