LILI REGAINS TROPICAL STORM STRENGTH

(See NOAA's National Hurricane Center for the latest information on this storm. Complete advisories are posted at 11 a.m., 5 p.m., 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. All times are Eastern. Advisories are posted more frequently as the storm nears the USA mainland.)

September 27, 2002 — Reports from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that Lili has again become a tropical storm. At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Lili was located near latitude 16.3 north, longitude 74.8 west or about 170 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Lili taken at 11:15 a.m. EDT on Sept. 27, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Lili is moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph, and a slow northwest motion is expected during the next 24 hours. This motion could bring the center of Lili near or over Jamaica on Saturday. Some erratic motion could occur Friday as the storm organizes.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles mainly to the northeast of the center. The latest minimum central pressure reported by the hurricane hunter is 1005 mb, 29.68 inches. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of then Tropical Storm Lili taken at 8:15 a.m. EDT on Sept. 27, 2002.)

Locally heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds, possibly near tropical storm force, may affect portions of southern Haiti Friday. Bands of heavy rain will likely spread across Jamaica Friday night and Saturday.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Jamaica. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area during the next 24 hours. All interests along the southern coast of Haiti, the Cayman Islands and Cuba should closely monitor the progress of Lili.

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.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

NOAA's Atlantic Hurricanes Database — 150 Years of Atlantic Hurricanes

El Niño Expected to Impact Atlantic Hurricane Season, NOAA Reports

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA's River Forecast Centers

NOAA's Flood Products

NOAA Rainfall Graphics
24-hour Observed Precipitation as of 8 a.m. today

Latest rainfall data as of 8 a.m. EDT today

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NOAA's Tides Online

NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views

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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