GUSTAV BECOMES THE FIRST ATLANTIC HURRICANE OF THE 2002 SEASON

September 11, 2002 — At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Gustav was located near latitude 38.6 north, longitude 69.7 west or about 540 miles southwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Gustav is moving toward the northeast near 23 mph, and a northeastward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next 24 hours, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Gustav taken at 8:15 a.m. EDT on Sept. 11, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

On this track, Gustav will move near the Canadian Maritimes Wednesday night as it transforms into a huge extratropical storm. The Canadian government is issuing a heavy rain threat for all of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, northwestern Newfoundland and southern New Brunswick, along with high wind warnings for many of these areas.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 70 miles to the south of the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 260 miles mainly to the southeast of the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 975 mb, 28.79 inches. NOAA buoy 44004 recently reported a pressure of 977.5 mb, 28.87 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

NOAA Rainfall Graphics
24-hour Observed Precipitation as of 8 a.m. today

Latest rainfall data as of 8 a.m. EDT today

NOAA Buoys

NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views

Colorized Satellite Images

NOAA 3-D Satellite Images

NOAA's Hurricanes Page

NOAA's Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA

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