LILI MOVING SLOWLY NEAR JAMAICA

(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 29, 2002 — At 11 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Lili was located near latitude 19.2 north, longitude 78.5 west or about 60 miles northwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Lili is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue on Monday. On this track, the storm will move away from Jamaica and move near the Cayman Islands and southern Cuba, 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 p.m. EDT on Sept. 29, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Lili could become a hurricane. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center. A recent U.S. Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft reported a minimum central pressure of 992 mb, 29.29 inches.

Heavy rains continue across Jamaica, which are expected to gradually spread over portions of eastern Cuba and the Cayman Islands. These rains could cause life-threatening flash flooding and mud slides.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Jamaica. A hurricane warning remains in effect for all of the Cayman Islands. The government of Cuba issued a tropical storm warning for all of Cuba as of 11 p.m. EDT. A hurricane watch remains in effect for Matanzas, Ciudad de La Habana, La Habana, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth.

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

NOAA Buoys

NOAA's Tides Online

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