TROPICAL STORM CHANTAL HEADING FOR THE
WINDWARD ISLANDS IN A HURRY
August 16, 2001 — At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of tropical storm Chantal was located near latitude 13.1 north, longitude 55.3 west or about 280 miles east of Barbados. Chantal is moving toward the west near 26 mph, and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. On this track Chantal should be moving through the Windward Islands Thursday night, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Chantal taken August 16, 2001.)
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. A reconnaissance plane will be in the area Thursday afternoon. Chantal could become a hurricane in a day or two. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles to the north of the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 Mb, 29.68 inches.
Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts in mountainous areas are likely near the path of Chantal.
The government of Trinidad and Tobago has issued a tropical storm watch for Grenada, Tobago and its dependencies. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for
Martinique.
The government of Barbados has issued a tropical storm warning for Dominica and the Grenadines. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Lucia.
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 Hurricanes Page
NOAA's Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA
Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404
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