ISIDORE CONTINUES SLOW MOTION OVER THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO

September 23, 2002 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Isidore was located near latitude 20.3 north, longitude 89.4 west or about 50 miles south-southeast of Merida, Mexico. Isidore is currently drifting northeastward. The storm is expected to begin a northwest motion Monday night. This motion could bring the center back over the Gulf of Mexico early Tuesday, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Isidore taken at 4:45 p.m. EDT on Sept. 23, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Further weakening is forecast while the center remains over land. However, Isidore is likely to strengthen again when the center reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 968 mb, 28.59 inches. Very heavy rains continue to affect the Yucatan peninsula, other portions of eastern Mexico, and the northern portions of Guatemala and Belize. Additional rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches are likely.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels, along with battering waves, continues in areas of onshore winds over the northwest Yucatan peninsula. Onshore winds will produce storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal elsewhere along the coast of Mexico from Campeche westward to near Veracruz. Tides are running 1 to 2 feet above normal along much of the remainder of the gulf coast, and this combined with large swells generated by Isidore may cause some coastal flooding and beach erosion.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect along the gulf coast of Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Veracruz. Interests along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico should monitor the progress of Isidore.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

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