At 8AM, Category 4 Hurricane Dorian strengthens to 145 mph but there's been a positive change overnight to the forecast of Dorian as the storm veered north and potentially away from the Florida coastlines.
Southern Miami-Dade County including Miami and the Florida Keys are no longer in the cone of uncertainty. Broward and Palm Beach Counties remain in the cone.
The Bahamas are currently bracing for the Category 4 Dorian where a hurricane warning has been issued for the Northwestern Bahamas.
On its current path,the eye of Dorian should move over the Atlantic well north of the southeastern and central Bahamas today, be near or over the northwestern Bahamas tomorrow, and be near the Florida east coast late Monday.
South Florida residents can expect severe weather conditions as early as Sunday morning.
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8 AM DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK:
At 800 AM EDT (1200 UTC), the distinct eye of Hurricane Dorian
was located near latitude 25.8 North, longitude 73.0 West. Dorian is
now moving toward the west near 12 mph (19 km/h). A slower westward
motion should continue into early next week. On this track, the
core of Dorian should move over the Atlantic well north of the
southeastern and central Bahamas today, be near or over the
northwestern Bahamas on Sunday, and be near the Florida east coast
late Monday.
Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter plane indicate that the maximum
sustained winds have increased to near 145 mph (225 km/h) with
higher gusts. Dorian is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-
Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. While some fluctuations in intensity
are possible, but Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane
during the next few days.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105
miles (165 km).
The latest minimum central pressure just reported by a NOAA
Hurricane Hunter aircraft was 944 mb (27.88 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning
area across the northwestern Bahamas by Sunday, with tropical storm
winds beginning tonight.
STORM SURGE: A life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels
by as much as 10 to 15 feet above normal tide levels in areas of
onshore winds in the northwestern Bahamas. Near the coast, the surge
will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
RAINFALL: Dorian is expected to produce the following rainfall
accumulations this weekend into the middle of next week:
Northwestern Bahamas...10 to 15 inches, isolated 25 inches.
Coastal sections of the southeast United States...6 to 12 inches,
isolated 18 inches.
Central Bahamas...2 to 4 inches, isolated 6 inches.
This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods.
SURF: Swells will begin affect the east-facing shores of the
Bahamas, the Florida east coast, 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 EDT.
Photo credit: National Hurricane Center