TROPICAL STORM FAY—THE SIXTH OF THE SEASON—FORMS IN THE GULF
OF MEXICO;
TENACIOUS EDOUARD MOVING WESTWARD

September 5, 2002 — A reconnaissance plane found strong enough winds to upgrade Tropical Depression Six to Tropical Storm Fay. At 11 p.m. EDT, the poorly defined center of Tropical Storm Fay was estimated to be near latitude 28.0 north, longitude 93.3 west or about 125 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas. Fay is nearly stationary, and little motion is expected through Friday, according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Fay and Tropical Depression Edouard taken at 10:45 p.m. EDT on Sept. 5, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles but only to the north of the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb., 29.71 inches.

Rainfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches are expected with local amounts in excess of 10 inches near the coastline. Coastal storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels can be expected in areas with onshore flow within the warning area.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Matagorda, Texas, to Intracoastal City, La. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are likely within the warning area within 24 hours.

Fay is the sixth named storm of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season. She follows Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly and Edouard. Edouard, now a tropical depression, formed in the Atlantic, crossed over Florida on Thursday and is now in the Gulf of Mexico. So far no tropical storm has reached hurricane strength this season.

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

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

TENACIOUS EDOUARD MOVING WESTWARD

At 11 p.m. EDT, the poorly defined center of Tropical Depression Edouard was located near latitude 28.4 north, longitude 84.3 west or about 100 miles south-southeast of Apalachicola, Fla. The depression is moving toward the west near 8 mph, and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours.

Maximum sustained winds are near 25 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 mb, 29.80 inches.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

El Niño Expected to Impact Atlantic Hurricane Season, NOAA Reports

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA's River Forecast Centers

NOAA's Flood Products

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