Sept. 13, 2003 — The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that recent reports from NOAA and Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate flight-level winds of 180 mph and 182 mph respectively. Also, dropsonde wind reports indicate winds of 192 mph just a few hundred feet above the surface. Based on this information, the intensity of Hurricane Isabel is being increased to 160 mph as of 2 p.m. EDT. This makes Isabel a Category 5 hurricane again. At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Isabel was located near latitude 22.2 north, longitude 61.5 west or about 405 miles northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Isabel is moving toward the west near 10 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA close-up satellite image for larger view of the eye of Hurricane Isabel taken on Sept. 13, 2003, at 11:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

(Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of dangerous Hurricane Isabel taken on Sept. 13, 2003, at 9:45 a.m. EDT. Please credit “NOAA.”)

(Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Isabel northeast of Puerto Rico taken on Sept. 13, 2003, at 11:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

(Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Isabel northeast of Puerto Rico along with the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Henri, still affecting the weather along the eastern seaboard of the USA, as well as a weather system in the middle of the USA that’s moving east taken on Sept. 13, 2003, at 11:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 935 mb, 27.61 inches. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Isabel for larger view.)

Large ocean swells and dangerous surf conditions are likely over portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic over the next several days.

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 Atlantic Hurricanes Database — 150 Years of Atlantic Hurricanes

NOAA Forecasters Say Six to Nine Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2003

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