POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE ISABEL GETTING A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED AS IT MOVES WESTWARD

(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.)

Sept. 13, 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 22.2 north, longitude 61.5 west or about 405 miles northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Isabel is moving toward the west near 10 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA close-up satellite image for larger view of the eye of Hurricane Isabel taken on Sept. 13, 2003, at 11:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)


(Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of dangerous Hurricane Isabel taken on Sept. 13, 2003, at 9:45 a.m. EDT. Please credit “NOAA.”)
(Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Isabel northeast of Puerto Rico taken on Sept. 13, 2003, at 11:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

(Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Isabel northeast of Puerto Rico along with the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Henri, still affecting the weather along the eastern seaboard of the USA, as well as a weather system in the middle of the USA that’s moving east taken on Sept. 13, 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 150 mph with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is possible during the next 24 hours. An Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the dangerous hurricane Saturday afternoon.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 935 mb, 27.61 inches. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Isabel for larger view.)

Large ocean swells and dangerous surf conditions are likely over portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic over the next several days.

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

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

NOAA Rainfall Graphics
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

Colorized Satellite Images

NOAA 3-D Satellite Images

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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