Sept. 5, 2003 � The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that the eyewall of Hurricane Fabian has been moving over Bermuda during the past couple of hours. At 5 p.m. EDT, the large eye of Fabian was centered near latitude 32.6 north, longitude 65.1 west or about 30 miles northwest of Bermuda. Fabian is moving toward the north near 20 mph. A gradual turn to the north-northeast is expected Friday night. On this track, Fabian will be gradually moving away from Bermuda, and weather conditions will improve Friday night. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Henri and Hurricane Fabian taken on Sept. 5, 2003, at 3:15 p.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds remain near 120 mph with higher gusts. Some weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Fabian taken on Sept. 5, 2003, at 3:15 p.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

The weather service from Bermuda recently relayed an unofficial observation of a sustained wind of 117 mph and a peak gust of near 127 mph from Bermuda Harbor Radio. Sustained winds of 103 mph with a gust of 132 mph were estimated at the Bermuda airport at 4 p.m. EDT.

Latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve plane was 950 mb, 28.05 inches. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Fabian for larger view.)

Rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated higher amounts, can be expected on Bermuda. Coastal storm surge flooding of 6 to 10 feet above normal tide levels, along with large and dangerous battering waves, are affecting Bermuda. Large swells will likely spread along portions of the USA East Coast Friday.

A hurricane warning remains in effect for Bermuda.

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

NOAA WARNS HURRICANE FABIAN WHIPPING UP DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS

Although the strongest winds of Fabian will never touch the U.S. coast, the swells produced by this powerful storm will create surf dangers, including rip currents along much of the USA Northeast coast, according to NOAA.

“Swell heights of 7 to 10 feet, some locally higher, will impact beaches from eastern Florida to New England Friday and Saturday, with some rough surf continuing through Sunday from New Jersey to New England. The rip current risk will be high,” said NOAA meteorologist Jim Lushine, a rip current expert with the NOAA National Weather Service forecast office in Miami, Fla.

“Surf conditions will be hazardous, even though local winds may be light. Swim at guarded beaches and heed the advice of the beach patrol. If caught in the seaward pull of a rip current, don't try to swim directly toward shore. Instead swim across the rip current, which may be only 10 to 30 yards wide then move back to the beach. Parents and grandparents should pay careful attention to their children or grandchildren,” said Lushine.

NOAA Rip Currents

Latest Rip Current Threat from Surf City, N.C., to South Santee River, S.C., from the NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office in Wilmington, N.C.

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

Media contact: Greg Hernandez, NOAA, (202) 482-3091

TROPICAL STORM HENRI MOVING ERRATICALLY EAST-NORTHEAST

The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 5 p.m. EDT the center of Tropical Storm Henri was located near latitude 28.4 north, longitude 83.9 west or about 75 miles southwest of Cedar Key, Fla. The center of Henri has been meandering over the past several hours, but the overall motion is toward the east-northeast near 5 mph. A slow motion toward the east-northeast with a turn toward the northeast is expected over the next 24 hours. On the forecast track, the center is expected to reach the Gulf Coast of Florida overnight. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Henri taken on Sept. 5, 2003, at 3:15 p.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. No significant increase in strength is expected prior to landfall. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center.

The latest pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve unit reconnaissance aircraft was 999 mb, 29.50 inches. (Click NOAA tracking map of Tropical Storm Henri for larger view.)

Rainfall accumulations of 6-12 inches, with isolated higher amounts, can be expected in association with Henri. Due to saturated ground conditions and high river stages, these heavy rains could result in significant flooding.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels can be expected near and to the south of where the center makes landfall.

There is a risk of isolated tornadoes through Friday night over portions of central and north Florida.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Englewood northward to the Aucilla River.

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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

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

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NOAA Tides Online

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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