CHANTAL WEAKENS TO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, MAY RE-INTENSIFY
OVER THE BAY OF CAMPECHE

August 21, 2001 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Depression Chantal was located near latitude 18.7 north, longitude 89.7 west or about 95 miles west of Chetumal, Mexico. This is also about 135 miles east of Carmen, Mexico, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. Chantal is moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. This motion should bring the center across the southern Yucatan Peninsula Tuesday night and over 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 are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast while the center remains over land. However, Chantal may re-intensify into a tropical storm over the Bay of Campeche on Wednesday.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb, 29.68 inches. Storm surge flooding along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula should decrease Tuesday night. Storm surge flooding of 1 to 2 feet is possible along portions of the gulf coast of Yucatan Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Additional rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches, with isolated higher amounts, are possible along and near the path of Chantal. Localized flooding, especially near coastal areas, can be expected Tuesday night.

The governments of Belize and Mexico discontinued all warnings along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The government of Mexico also discontinued the tropical storm warning along the gulf coast north of Campeche. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the gulf coast from Campeche southward to Carmen. The government of Mexico has issued a tropical storm watch along the gulf coast west of Carmen to Veracruz.

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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