ERIN BECOMES FIRST ATLANTIC HURRICANE OF 2001;
GETTING BETTER ORGANIZED WHILE APPROACHING BERMUDA

September 8, 2001 — At 8 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Erin was located near latitude 29.6 north, longitude 60.3 west or about 325 miles southeast of Bermuda. Erin is moving toward the north-northwest near 15 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue Saturday night with some decrease in forward speed on Sunday, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. On this track Erin should be nearing Bermuda on Sunday. The government of Bermuda has issued a hurricane warning for Bermuda. (Click on NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Erin taken Sept. 8, 2001 at 7:45 p.m. EDT. Click here to see latest NOAA satellite image.)

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. NOAA satellite imagery shows that Erin is forming an eye and further strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles. The latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft was 992 mb, 29.29 inches.

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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