ARTHUR GETTING STRONGER OVER THE NORTH ATLANTIC

July 15, 2002 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located near latitude 37.3 north, longitude 67.0 west or about 585 miles southwest of Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Arthur is moving toward the east-northeast near 26 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Arthur taken on July 15, 2002, at 10:15 a.m. EDT.)

Arthur is the first named tropical storm of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and ends November 30.

NOAA satellite intensity estimates and surrounding ship reports indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125 miles mainly northeast through southeast of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb, 29.47 inches.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

Hurricane Forecasters Say 6 to 8 Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2002; NOAA Expects Normal to Slightly above Normal Atlantic Storm Activity

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA Buoys

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

 

-end-