TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWELVE DRIFTING NORTHEASTWARD, RAINS MOVING INLAND;
SEVERE HURRICANE FABIAN FORECAST TO PASS VERY NEAR BERMUDA (See the NOAA 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.) Sept. 4, 2003 � The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 a.m. EDT the center of Tropical Depression Twelve was located near latitude 27.9 north, longitude 87.1 west or about 175 miles southwest of Apalachicola, Fla. The depression is drifting northeastward. A slow motion to the east-northeast motion is expected during the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Depression Twelve taken on Sept. 4, 2003, at 11:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. The depression is forecast to become a tropical storm during the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA tracking map of Tropical Depression Twelve for larger view.)
The latest pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve unit reconnaissance aircraft was 1010 mb, 29.83 inches.
Most of the heavy rains with the depression are located well to the east of the center. These rains are already affecting portions of the Florida Gulf Coast. Rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated higher amounts, can be expected in association with the depression.
Coastal storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels can be expected near and to the south of where the center makes landfall. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Gulf coast of Florida from Englewood northward to Indian Pass. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices. SEVERE HURRICANE FABIAN FORECAST TO PASS VERY NEAR BERMUDA The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 a.m. EDT the eye of Hurricane Fabian was located near latitude 25.2 north, longitude 64.0 west or about 500 miles south of Bermuda. Fabian is moving toward the north-northwest near 12 mph. On this track, Fabian will be passing near or over Bermuda during the next day or so. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Fabian taken on Sept. 4, 2003, at 8:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)
Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles. Fabian is a large hurricane, and tropical storm force winds are expected to reach Bermuda early Friday, well in advance of the eye.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 944 mb,
27.88 inches. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Fabian taken on Sept. 4, 2003, at 8:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”) Large swells and dangerous surf conditions will continue to affect the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Large swells will also begin to spread along portions of the East Coast of the United States on Thursday. At 11 a.m. EDT the Bermuda weather service issued a hurricane warning for Bermuda. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Fabian for larger view.) NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation�s coastal and marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Relevant Web Sites
NOAA National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here
NOAA Atlantic Hurricanes Database — 150 Years of Atlantic Hurricanes
NOAA Forecasters Say Six to Nine Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2003
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
NOAA River Forecast Centers
NOAA 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 Tides Online
NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views
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NOAA Hurricanes Page
NOAA Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404
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