Sept. 12, 2003 � The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 p.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Isabel was located near latitude 21.8 north, longitude 59.5 west or about 320 miles north-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. Isabel is moving toward the west near 9 mph. A west to west-northwest motion is expected over the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA close-up satellite image for larger view of the eye of Hurricane Isabel taken on Sept. 12, 2003, at 1:15 p.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. NOAA satellite images indicate that Isabel may be weakening a little. Another reconnaissance aircraft will be in the hurricane in a few hours. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of very dangerous Hurricane Isabel along with a weather system in the middle of the United States moving east, as well as the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Henri still lingering in the Eastern seaboard, taken on Sept. 12, 2003, at 2:45 p.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 160 miles. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of very dangerous Hurricane Isabel and its proximity to the northern Leeward Islands taken on Sept. 12, 2003, at 1:15 p.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Estimated minimum central pressure is 923 mb, 27.26 inches.

(Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of very dangerous Hurricane Isabel and its proximity to the USA coastline taken on Sept. 12, 2003, at 1:15 p.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

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.)

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