ARTHUR RAPIDLY BECOMING AN EXTRATROPICAL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
OVER THE FAR NORTH ATLANTIC SOUTH OF NEWFOUNDLAND

July 16, 2002 — At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located near latitude 41.7 north, longitude 57.1 west or about 415 miles south-southwest of Argentia, Newfoundland. Arthur is moving rapidly toward the northeast near 40 mph, but a gradual turn to the north-northeast and a decrease in forward speed is expected later Tuesday, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Arthur taken on July 15, 2002, at 11:15 a.m. EDT.)

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

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours. Arthur is expected to transition to an extratropical low pressure system later Tuesday before making landfall over eastern Newfoundland Tuesday night.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles mainly east and southeast of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb, 29.47 inches.

Locally heavy rainfall is possible over portions of southern and eastern Newfoundland later Tuesday. In addition, the Canadian weather service issued storm and gale warnings for portions of the coastal and offshore waters of southern Newfoundland.

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

 

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