HURRICANE FABIAN BYPASSING THE LEEWARD ISLANDS

(See the NOAA 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.)

Sept. 2, 2003 — The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 a.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Fabian was located near latitude 20.3 north, longitude 60.4 west or about 200 miles north-northeast of Barbuda in the northern Leeward Islands. Fabian is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph, and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. On this forecast track, the center of Fabian is expected to pass well to the north of the northern Leeward Islands Monday and Monday night. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Fabian taken on Sept. 2, 2003, at 10:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 140 mph with higher gusts. Fluctuations in strength are common in major hurricanes, and these could occur during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Fabian for larger view.)

Estimated minimum central pressure is 945 mb, 27.91 inches.

Large swells and dangerous surf conditions will be affecting the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the next day or two.

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

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Relevant Web Sites
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NOAA Forecasters Say Six to Nine Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2003

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Frank Lepore, NOAA Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404