TROPICAL STORM BARRY DRIFTING SLOWLY WESTWARD; NO CHANGE IN STRENGTH

August 3, 2001 — A tropical storm watch is in effect for portions of southeast Louisiana from the mouth of the Pearl River to Morgan City, La. This watch could be upgraded to a warning later tonight, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image of Tropical Storm Barry for larger view. Click here for latest satellite image. Click here for colorized NOAA satellite image of Tropical Storm Barry.)

At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Barry was located near latitude 27.0 north, longitude 87.4 west or about 180 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Barry is drifting slowly toward the west at 3 mph, but a gradual slow increase in forward motion toward the west or west-northwest is expected to develop later tonight or on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph, with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Winds and seas are gradually increasing across the north central Gulf of Mexico and some coastal flooding could occur over portions of southeast Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the western Florida panhandle.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center, mainly to the north and east. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1007 Mb, 29.74 inches. Additional heavy rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is possible over portions of central and south Florida tonight.

For storm information for specific areas of the USA, please monitor products issued by National Weather Service local forecast offices.

An intermediate advisory will be issued by NOAA's National Hurricane Center at 8 p.m. EDT followed by the next complete advisory at 11 p.m. EDT.

Storm Advisories updated 5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and 11 p.m. EDT; every three hours if a Watch/Warning is in effect.

NOAA satellite images updated 15 minutes past the hour; Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico and close-ups also updated at 45 past the hour.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views

Colorized Satellite Images

NOAA 3-D Satellite Images

NOAA's Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA

Climate Watch, June 2001 — Rainfall and Flooding from Tropical Storm Allison

National Weather Warnings

NOAA's Hydrometeorological Prediction Center — Get the latest excessive rainfall forecasts

NOAA's Drought Assessment

NOAA's Summer Outlook

Latest Seasonal Outlook

2001 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook

USA Weather Threats

NOAA's River Forecast Centers

NOAA's Hydrologic Information Center

River Conditions from NOAA's Hydrologic Information Center — includes national graphic

NOAA's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services

NOAA's Flooding Page

NOAA Flood Satellite Images

Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404

 

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