United States, September 22, 2017 – Miami, FL – …MARIA STILL PRODUCING 125-MPH WINDS AS IT PASSES NORTHEAST OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS…
SUMMARY OF 1100 AM EDT…1500 UTC…INFORMATION
LOCATION…22.3N 71.0W
ABOUT 55 MI…90 KM N OF GRAND TURK ISLAND
ABOUT 445 MI…715 KM ESE OF NASSAU
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…125 MPH…205 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NW OR 325 DEGREES AT 8 MPH…13 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…958 MB…28.29 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The government of the Dominican Republic has discontinued all warnings for the Dominican Republic.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…
* Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Central Bahamas
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Interests elsewhere in the Bahamas should monitor the progress of Maria. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
At 1100 AM EDT (1500 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 22.3 North, longitude 71.0 West. Maria is moving toward the northwest near 8 mph (13 km/h). A turn toward the north-northwest is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the north by late Saturday. On the forecast track, Maria’s core will move away from the Turks and Caicos Islands today, and pass northeast and east of the Bahamas through Sunday.
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds remain near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Maria is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. A gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km). The minimum central pressure based on data from the reconnaissance aircraft is 958 mb (28.29 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
WIND: Hurricane and tropical storm conditions are occurring over portions of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas and will continue through tonight. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the central Bahamas beginning tonight.
STORM SURGE: A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 9 to 12 feet above normal tide levels within the hurricane warning area of the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
RAINFALL: Maria is expected to produce the following rainfall accumulations through Saturday:
Turks and Caicos…8 to 16 inches, isolated 20 inches
Puerto Rico…additional 3 to 6 inches, isolated maximum storm total amounts 40 inches
Eastern Dominican Republic…additional 4 to 8 inches, isolated storm total amounts 20 inches
Western Dominican Republic and northern Haiti…additional 3 to 6 inches
Mayaguana, southeast Bahamas…4 to 8 inches
Inagua Islands and Crooked Island, Bahamas…2 to 6 inches
Rest of eastern Bahamas…1 to 3 inches
Rainfall on these islands will continue to cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
SURF: Swells generated by Maria are affecting Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the northern coast of Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas. These swells will reach portions of the United States southeastern coast today and Bermuda tonight. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
Release: NHC
