CHARLEY STRENGTHENING AS IT MOVES TOWARD WESTERN CUBA;
BONNIE WELL INLAND AND EXPECTED TO BECOME EXTRATROPICAL

Aug. 12, 2004 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Charley was located near latitude 21.2 north, longitude 81.9 west or about 140 miles south-southeast of Havana, Cuba. Charley is now moving toward the north-northwest near 18 mph. A gradual turn toward the north is expected during the next 24 hours. On the forecast track, Charley is expected to pass near the Isle of Youth Thursday night and near Havana, Cuba, Friday morning. Weather conditions should begin to deteriorate over western Cuba during the next few hours, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of the eye of Hurricane Charley taken at 2:45 p.m. EDT on Aug. 12, 2004. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts. This makes Charley a Category Two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Charley could become a major hurricane later Thursday night or Friday. (Click NOAA Hurricane Charley tracking map for larger view.)

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 980 mb, 28.94 inches.

Storm surge flooding of 10 to 14 feet can be expected along the south coast of Cuba near and east of where the center makes landfall. In addition, storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet, along with large and dangerous battering waves, can be expected in the Florida keys. Storm surge flooding of 10 to 13 feet is also possible near and south of the where the center crosses the Florida west coast. (Click NOAA satellite overhead image for larger view of Hurricane Charley taken at 11:15 a.m. EDT on Aug. 12, 2004. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are likely in association with Charley. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods.

At 5 p.m. EDT, the hurricane warning has been extended northward along the Florida west coast to Bayport. A hurricane warning is now in effect for the Florida Keys from the Dry Tortugas to the Seven Mile Bridge and for the Florida west coast from East Cape Sable northward to Bayport. The warning will likely be extended northward later Thursday night. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area during the next 24 hours. Preparations should be rushed to completion.

The hurricane watch remains in effect for the Florida west coast from north of Bayport northward to the Suwanee River. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Florida Keys from the Seven Mile Bridge to Ocean Reef and along the south Florida mainland from Ocean Reef to East Cape Sable, including all of Florida Bay. At 5 p.m. EDT, a tropical storm watch was issued for portions of the Florida and Georgia coasts from Jupiter Inlet northward to Altamaha Sound, including Lake Okeechobee.

A hurricane warning remains in effect for the following provinces of western Cuba: Pinar del Rio, La Habana, Ciudad de la Habana, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth. The government of the Cayman Islands discontinued all warnings.

BONNIE WELL INLAND AND EXPECTED TO BECOME EXTRATROPICAL

At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Depression Bonnie was located near latitude 31.1 north, longitude 83.0 west or about 30 miles northeast of Valdosta, Ga. The depression is moving toward the northeast near 26 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA satellite for larger view of Tropical Storm Bonnie taken at 12:15 a.m. EDT on Aug. 12, 2004, after coming ashore in Florida. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph with higher gusts. Bonnie is forecast to become extratropical during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb, 29.71 inches. (Click NOAA Tropical Storm Bonnie tracking map for larger view.)

Additional rainfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches, with isolated higher amounts, can be expected in association with Bonnie.

Isolated tornadoes are also possible along the path and to the east of Bonnie.

At 5 p.m. EDT, all tropical storm warnings are discontinued.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices and statements from local emergency management officials.

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