Dec. 5, 2003 — The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 10 a.m. EST the center of Tropical Storm Odette was located near latitude 14.2 north, longitude 74.2 west or about 290 miles southwest of Isla Beata on the south coast of the Dominican Republic. Odette is moving toward the east-northeast near 5 mph. A turn more toward the northeast is expected during the next 12 to 24 hours. This motion could bring the center of Odette near the southern coast of Haiti or western Dominican Republic on Saturday. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Odette taken at 8:15 a.m. EST on Dec. 5, 2003. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible before the center reaches the high terrain of Hispaniola.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. The strong winds occurring over the Bahamas are due to the combination of a strong high pressure system over the mid-Atlantic states and Odette. (Click NOAA tracking map of Tropical Storm Odette for larger view.)

The minimum central pressure reported by a reconnaissance plane was 993 mb, 29.32 inches.

Rainfall accumulations of 8 to 12 inches, with higher amounts in the mountains, can be expected near the path of Odette. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides, particularly in the mountains of Haiti. Rainbands associated with Odette are already spreading across Hispaniola.

At 10 a.m. EST, the government of the Dominican Republic extended the tropical storm warning eastward to Isla Saona. Tropical storm warnings are now in effect for the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona westward. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Haiti and Jamaica. The tropical storm warning for Jamaica may be discontinued later Friday. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the southeastern
Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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

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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