Sept. 15, 2003 — The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 a.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Isabel was located near latitude 25.2 north, longitude 69.4 west or about 780 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. This position is also about 505 miles east of Nassau. Isabel is moving toward the west-northwest near 8 mph, and a turn to the northwest is expected over the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA close-up satellite image for larger view of the eye of Hurricane Isabel taken on Sept. 15, 2003, at 8:15 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 as the Eastern Seaboard awaits its arrival taken on Sept. 15, 2003, at 8:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

(Click close-up NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Isabel taken at 8:15 a.m. EDT on Sept. 15, 2003. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

(Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Isabel taking aim at the U.S. mainland taken on Sept. 15, 2003, at 8:15 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 seen moving toward the USA Eastern Seaboard taken on Sept. 15, 2003, at 8:15 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. Although fluctuations in intensity are common in major hurricanes, little overall 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.)

Estimated minimum central pressure is 945 mb, 27.91 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
NOAA National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

NOAA Atlantic Hurricanes Database — 150 Years of Atlantic Hurricanes

NOAA Forecasters Say Six to Nine Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2003

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

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