Tropical Storm Watch Up for Bermuda as Sam Will Pass Just to the East on Saturday

SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST…1500 UTC…INFORMATION
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LOCATION…22.6N 60.0W
ABOUT 365 MI…585 KM NNE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS
ABOUT 730 MI…1175 KM SSE OF BERMUDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…145 MPH…230 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NW OR 320 DEGREES AT 13 MPH…20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…937 MB…27.67 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
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A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Bermuda

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
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At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Sam was located near latitude 22.6 North, longitude 60.0 West. Sam is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h), and a turn toward the north-northwest with an increase in forward speed is expected tonight. A turn toward the north is anticipated by late Friday, and a northeastward motion is forecast to begin on Saturday. On the forecast track, the core of Sam will pass to the east of Bermuda early Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 145 mph (230 km/h) with higher gusts. Sam is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next couple of days, but Sam is forecast to remain a major hurricane through Saturday, with more significant weakening anticipated later in the weekend.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 937 mb (27.67 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible on Bermuda beginning Friday night or early Saturday.

SURF: Swells generated by Sam will impact the northern Leeward Islands and the Greater Antilles, including Puerto Rico, during the next few days. Swells are expected to reach Bermuda and the Bahamas by Friday, and then spread to the United States east coast by this weekend. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

Category: ALL POSTS, Tropical