TROPICAL STORM GRACE CLOSING IN ON TEXAS COAST;
HURRICANE FABIAN CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY (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.) Aug. 30, 2003 � The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 p.m. EDT the very poorly defined center of Tropical Storm Grace was located near latitude 25.5 north, longitude 94.5 west or about 210 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas. Grace is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph, and this motion is expected to bring the center across the Texas coast Sunday night. However, the strong winds and rain are located north and east of the center, and the rain is affecting east Texas and southern Louisiana. (Click NOAA image for larger view of Tropical Storm Grace taken Aug. 30, 2003, at 11:15 p.m. EDT. Please credit “NOAA.”)
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles 185 km from the center. (Click NOAA tracking map of Tropical Storm Grace for larger view.) The estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 mb, 29.80 inches. Rainfall accumulations of 6 to 8 inches, with isolated higher amounts, are expected over portions of eastern Texas and lesser amounts are expected over western Louisiana. Storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels is expected along the Texas coast near and to the north of where the center moves inland. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Texas coast from High Island to Corpus Christi. 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. HURRICANE FABIAN CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 p.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Fabian was located near latitude 17.7 north, longitude 50.8 west or about 710 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Fabian is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph, and this motion is expected to continue during the next day or so. (Click NOAA image for larger view of Hurricane Fabian taken Aug. 30, 2003, at 11:15 p.m. EDT. Please credit “NOAA.”)
Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph with higher gusts making Fabian a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Fabian for larger view.)
Estimated minimum central pressure is 952 mb, 28.11 inches. 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
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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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