CHANTAL MOVING FARTHER INLAND AND WEAKENING

August 21, 2001 — At 11 a.m. EDT, surface and radar observations indicated the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located near latitude 18.5 north, longitude 89.1 west or about 50 miles west of Chetumal, Mexico, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. Chantal is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue with some increase in forward speed over the next 24 hours. This motion should bring the center across the Yucatan Peninsula Tuesday and Tuesday night, possibly moving into the bay of Campeche on Wednesday. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Chantal taken August 21, 2001 at 6:30 a.m. EDT. Click here to see latest satellite image.)

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Weakening should continue as Chantal moves farther inland, and the system will likely weaken to a depression later Tuesday or Tuesday night. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles mainly to the east of the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb, 29.65 inches.

Storm surge flooding of 2 to 3 feet accompanied by battering waves is possible near and north of the Belize/Mexico border Tuesday. In addition, storm surge flooding of 1 to 2 feet is possible along portions of the gulf coast of Yucatan by late Tuesday and on
Wednesday.

Rainfall totals of 15 to 20 inches with isolated higher amounts are possible along and near the path of Chantal. Localized flooding especially near coastal areas can be expected Tuesday.

The governments of Belize and Mexico have discontinued the hurricane watch for the Caribbean coasts of those countries. 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 tropical storm warning also remains in effect for the gulf coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Progreso to Carmen. Additional warnings and watches may be required for the Mexican gulf coast later Tuesday.

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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