Sept. 6, 2003 � The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 p.m. EDT the center of Tropical Storm Isabel was located near latitude 13.4 north, longitude 36.1 west or about 770 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands. Isabel is moving toward the west near 10 mph, and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Isabel in the Atlantic taken on Sept. 6, 2003, at 9:15 p.m EDT. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Isabel could become a hurricane on Sunday. (Click NOAA tracking map of Tropical Storm Isabel for larger view.)

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb, 29.44 inches.

HENRI MOVING NORTHEAST INTO THE ATLANTIC

The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 p.m. the center of Tropical Depression Henri was located near latitude 30.3 north, longitude 79.1 west or about 190 miles south-southeast of Charleston, S.C. The depression is moving toward the northeast near 15 mph, and a continued motion in this general direction with a reduced forward speed is expected over the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Depression Henri taken on Sept. 6, 2003, at 11:45 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. Henri may regain tropical storm strength during the next 24 hours.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb, 29.71 inches. (Click NOAA tracking map of Tropical Depression Henri for larger view.)

FABIAN CONTINUES TO HEAD INTO THE NORTH ATLANTIC

The NOAA National Hurricane center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 p.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Fabian was located near latitude 38.5 north, longitude 57.2 west or about 610 miles south-southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Fabian is moving toward the northeast near 23 mph. This general motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours with a gradual increase in forward speed. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Fabian taken on Sept. 6, 2003, at 11:45 a.m EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts. Some weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Fabian is expected to become extratropical in a day or two. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Depression Henri and Hurricane Fabian taken on Sept. 6, 2003, at 11:45 a.m EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 962 mb, 28.41 inches. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Fabian for larger view.)

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

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

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NOAA Forecasters Say Six to Nine Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2003

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