Sept. 16, 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 27.4 north, longitude 71.2 west or about 600 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. Isabel is moving toward the north-northwest near 8 mph, and this 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. 16, 2003, at 10:15 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. 16, 2003, at 10:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

(Click over view NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Isabel taken at 10:15 a.m. EDT on Sept. 16, 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. 16, 2003, at 10:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds have decreased and are now near 105 mph with higher gusts. This makes Isabel a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. While some further weakening is expected Tuesday, conditions could become favorable for re-strengthening prior to landfall.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 120 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Isabel for larger view.)

A NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft reported a minimum central pressure of 959 mb, 28.32 inches.

Large ocean swells and dangerous surf conditions are already being experienced along portions of the U.S. southeast and mid-Atlantic coasts. These conditions will also continue over portions of the Bahamas for the next few days.

At 11 a.m. EDT, a hurricane watch is in effect from Little River Inlet, S.C., to Chincoteague, Va., including the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds, Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach, Md., and the Tidal Potomac. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours. Hurricane warnings may be required later Tuesday or Tuesday night.

At 11 a.m. EDT, a tropical storm watch is in effect south of Little River Inlet to South Santee River, S.C. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch may be required north of the hurricane watch area later Tuesday or Tuesday night.

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

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