CHANTAL HEADED FOR THE COAST OF YUCATAN AND BELIZE
August 20, 2001 — At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located near latitude 17.7 north, longitude 86.3 west or about 140 miles east-southeast of Chetumal, Mexico. Chantal is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph, and this motion is expected to continue Monday. On this track the center of Chantal should be near the coast in the tropical storm warning area Monday evening, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Chantal taken August 20, 2001 at 6:30 a.m. EDT. Click here to see latest satellite image.)
Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts. No significant change in strength is expected until landfall. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles from the center. An Air Force hurricane hunter plane recently reported a minimum central pressure of 1007 mb, 29.74 inches.
Rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches with locally heavier amounts in mountainous areas are possible along the path of Chantal. Storm surge flooding of 2 to 3 feet accompanied by battering waves is possible near and north of where the center crosses the coast.
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for all of coastal Belize and for the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from the Mexico/Belize border northward to Cancun. A hurricane watch remains in effect from Belize City northward to Cancun.
For storm information for specific areas of the USA, please monitor products issued by National Weather Service local forecast offices.
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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