Sept. 12, 2003 � The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 a.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Isabel was located near latitude 21.6 north, longitude 57.8 west or about 370 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. Isabel is moving toward the west near 9 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of the eye of Hurricane Isabel taken on Sept. 12, 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 160 mph with higher gusts. This makes Isabel a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next 24 hours and are common in major hurricanes. NOAA and Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft will investigate Isabel Friday afternoon. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of very dangerous Hurricane Isabel looming hundreds of miles from the USA coast in this full-Earth view taken on Sept. 12, 2003, at 8:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of very dangerous Hurricane Isabel and its proximity to the USA coastline along with the remnants of what as Tropical Storm Henri still lingering along the Eastern USA taken on Sept. 12, 2003, at 8:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Estimated minimum central pressure is 924 mb, 27.29 inches.

Large ocean swells and dangerous surf conditions are likely over portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the next several days. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Isabel for larger view.)

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices.

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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

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Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404