Sept. 14, 2003 — The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 p.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Isabel was located near latitude 24.5 north, longitude 68.3 west or about 850 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. This position is also about 535 miles east of Nassau in the Bahamas. Isabel is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph, and a gradual turn toward the northwest is expected during the next day or so. (Click NOAA close-up satellite image for larger view of the eye of Hurricane Isabel taken on Sept. 14, 2003, at 5:15 p.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 taking aim at the U.S. mainland taken on Sept. 14, 2003, at 5:15 p.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 where at 5 p.m. EDT the center of the major hurricane was located about 320 miles east-northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands taken on Sept. 15, 2003, at 5:15 p.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 seen from space with its sights set on the U.S. mainland taken on Sept. 14, 2003, at 5:15 p.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 seen moving toward the USA eastern seaboard taken on Sept. 14, 2003, at 5:15 p.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 155 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Isabel for larger view.)

The estimated minimum central pressure is 933 mb, 27.55 inches.

Large ocean swells and dangerous surf conditions are likely over portions of the Greater and Lesser Antilles, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the islands of the Bahamas over the next few days. These dangerous surf conditions will also affect portions of the southeastern U.S. coast.

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