Hurricane Dorian is powering up to be a major category three storm when it hits Florida this Labor Day weekend. The National Hurricane Center says the storm could come on shore Sunday or early Monday Morning. It's still early but current the hurricane could effect anywhere from Miami to southern Georgia. Hurricane Dorian has strengthened slightly as it continues moving away from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
As of 5 a.m. Thursday, Dorian was located about 150 miles north-northwest of San Juan. Dorian, which has maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, is moving northwest at a speed of 13 mph.
No warnings or watches are in effect as of 5 a.m.
President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration Wednesday night for the U.S. Virgin Islands with the purpose of "alleviating the hardship and suffering" caused by the storm.
At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Dorian was located
near latitude 20.5 North, longitude 66.6 West. Dorian is moving
toward the northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this general motion
is expected to continue through Friday. A west-northwestward
motion is forecast to begin Friday night and continue into the
weekend. On this track, Dorian should move over the Atlantic well
east of the southeastern and central Bahamas today and on Friday,
and approach the northwestern Bahamas on Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher
gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and
Dorian is expected to become a major hurricane on Friday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the
center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles
(150 km).
The minimum central pressure based on earlier Air Force Reserve
Hurricane Hunter data is 991 mb (29.27 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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RAINFALL: Dorian is expected to produce the following rainfall
accumulations this weekend into early next week:
The central Bahamas...2 to 4 inches, isolated 6 inches.
The northwestern Bahamas and coastal sections of the Southeast
United States...4 to 8 inches, isolated 12 inches.
This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods.
SURF: Swells around the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico should gradually diminish today. Swells are likely to
begin affecting the east-facing shores of the Bahamas and the
southeastern United States coast during the next few days. These
swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
NEXT ADVISORY
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Next complete advisory at 1100 AM AST.
Photo courtesy of the National Hurricane Center