CONDITIONS IMPROVING IN THE CAYMANS;
WESTERN CUBA NEXT TARGET

(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 30, 2002 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Lili was located near latitude 20.1 north, longitude 80.7 west or about 175 miles southeast of the Isle of Youth, Cuba. Lili is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph, and this motion is expected to continue with some increase in forward speed during the next 24 hours. The expected track of Lili would bring the center very near the Isle of Youth Tuesday morning, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Lili taken at 4:45 p.m. EDT on Sept. 30, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles. Estimated minimum central pressure is 984 mb, 29.06 inches.

Heavy rains continue across Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and eastern Cuba. These rains could cause life-threatening flash flooding and mud slides. Rainfall accumulations of 8 to 12 inches, with isolated higher amounts, can be expected near the path of Lili.

The government of Mexico issued a tropical storm watch from Cozumel to Progreso as of 5 p.m. EDT. A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Cuban provinces of Matanzas, Ciudad de La Habana, La Habana, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the rest of Cuba. A hurricane warning remains in effect for all of the Cayman Islands.

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

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Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404