MICHELLE MOVING SLOWLY, EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN

November 1, 2001 — At 4 p.m. EST, the center of Tropical Storm Michelle was located near latitude 17.0 north, longitude 83.8 west or about 345 miles south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba. Michelle has moved little over the past few hours but generally is moving toward the north-northwest near 5 mph. A slow north-northwest motion is expected over the next 24 hours, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Michelle taken Nov. 1, 2001 at 10:15 a.m. EST. Click here to see latest satellite image.)

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts. Michelle is expected to become a hurricane Thursday night or Friday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 991 mb, 29.26 inches.

Intermittent but locally heavy rainfall from outer bands will occur over the Cayman Islands and Jamaica during the next day or two.

The government of Cuba issued a hurricane watch for the following provinces in western Cuba: Pinar del Rio, La Habana, Havana City, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth.

All interests in south Florida and the Florida Keys should closely monitor the progress of Michelle.

For storm information for specific areas of the USA, please monitor products issued by National Weather Service local forecast offices. In addition, see NOAA's Southeast River Forecast Center for the latest river conditions.

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

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA's Southeast River Forecast Center

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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