Florida is in the cone. Gov Scott proclaims state of emergency
Governor Rick Scott has just called a state of emergency. Irma is a Cat 4.
Here is the 5 PM update for Sept 4, 2017:
Miami- (treasurecoast.com) BULLETIN Hurricane Irma Advisory Number 22 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL112017 500 PM AST Mon Sep 04 2017 …IRMA STRENGTHENS AS IT HEADS TOWARD THE LEEWARD ISLANDS… …PREPARATIONS WITHIN THE WARNING AREA SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION… SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST…2100 UTC…INFORMATION ———————————————- LOCATION…16.7N 54.4W ABOUT 490 MI…790 KM E OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…130 MPH…215 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 265 DEGREES AT 13 MPH…20 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…944 MB…27.88 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS ——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The government of France has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Guadeloupe.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for… * Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis * Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten * Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy A Hurricane Watch is in effect for… * Guadeloupe * British Virgin Islands * U.S. Virgin Islands * Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for… * Guadeloupe A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for… * Dominica
Interests in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the southeastern Bahamas should monitor the progress of Irma.
DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 54.4 West. Irma is moving toward the west near 13 mph (20 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue into Tuesday, followed by a turn toward the west-northwestward late Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Irma will move near or over portions of the northern Leeward Islands Tuesday night and early Wednesday.
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts. Irma is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km). The latest minimum central pressure reported by reconnaissance aircraft is 944 mb (27.88 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND /STORM SURGE:
The combination of a dangerous storm surge and large breaking waves will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels along the coasts of the extreme northern Leeward Islands within the hurricane warning area near and to the north of the center of Irma. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
WIND:
Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area by Tuesday night.Tropical storm conditions expected by late Tuesday. Hurricane conditions are possible within the hurricane watch area in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by late Wednesday, with tropical storm conditions possible by early Wednesday.
RAINFALL:
Irma is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches across the Leeward Islands. These rainfall amounts may cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. SURF: Swells generated by Irma will affect the northern Leeward Islands during the next several days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
Next intermediate advisory at 800 PM AST. Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST.
Forecaster Brown
