NINTH TROPICAL DEPRESSION OF THE SEASON FORMS IN THE GULF OF
MEXICO;
GUSTAV RACING NORTHEASTWARD NEAR NOVA SCOTIA

September 11, 2002 — At 11 p.m. EDT, the center of tropical depression nine was located near latitude 26.5 north, longitude 86.5 west or about 240 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola, Fla. The depression is moving toward the northeast near 5 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue on Thursday, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of tropical depression nine taken at 10:15 p.m. EDT on Sept. 11, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Only slight strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, however, the depression could become a tropical storm on Thursday. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 mb, 29.56 inches.

Heavy rains are occurring over portions of the Florida peninsula well to the east of the depression center. Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, locally higher, are likely.

A tropical storm watch will likely be required for a portion of the northeast Gulf of Mexico coast on Thursday.

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.

GUSTAV RACING NORTHEASTWARD NEAR NOVA SCOTIA

The NOAA National Hurricane Center also reports that at 11 p.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Gustav was located near latitude 45.0 north, longitude 61.0 west or about 90 miles south-southwest of Sydney, Nova Scotia. Gustav is moving toward the northeast near 46 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue on Thursday. On this track, Gustav will be passing near the eastern end of Nova Scotia during the next few hours and over Newfoundland on Thursday. The Canadian government has issued heavy rainfall and high wind warnings for southern New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and northwest Newfoundland.

Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph with higher gusts. Some weakening is expected during the next 24 hours. Gustav should lose its tropical characteristics on Thursday and become a large extratropical storm.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 520 miles. Estimated minimum central pressure is 964 mb, 28.47 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

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