The eyewall of the catastophic Category 5 Hurricane Dorian is about to hit the Abaco Islands with devastating winds, life-threatening storm surge and very heavy rainfall. It's expected to gradually make a turn to the Northwest.
Dorian should move closer to Florida's east coast late tomorrow through Tuesday. Floridians should prepare for severe weather including destructive wind gusts, heavy rains, and potential flooding.
Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Palm Beach County, north of Deerfield Beach to Sebastian Inlet.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Fort Lauderdale and parts of Broward, Martin, Saint Lucie, and Indian River Counties.
8AM DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
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At 800 AM EDT (1200 UTC), the distinct eye of Hurricane Dorian
was located near latitude 26.5 North, longitude 76.5 West. Dorian
is moving toward the west near 8 mph (13 km/h), and a slower
westward motion should occur for the next day or two, followed by a
gradual turn toward the northwest. On this track, the core of
extremely dangerous Hurricane Dorian should be moving over Great
Abaco soon, and continue near or over Grand Bahama Island later
tonight and Monday. The hurricane should move closer to the Florida
east coast late Monday through Tuesday night.
Data from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter plane which just penetrated
the eye of Dorian indicate that the maximum sustained winds have
increased to near 160 mph (260 km/h) with higher gusts. Dorian is
now a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind
Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely, 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). Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands just reported winds
of 35 mph (56 km/h)
The minimum central pressure just measured by an Air Force plane was
927 mb (27.37 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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WIND: Devastating hurricane conditions are expected in the Abacos
Islands very soon and these conditions will spread across Grand
Bahama Island later today.
Tropical storm conditions are expected within the tropical storm
warning area on Monday.
Tropical storm conditions are possible within the tropical storm
watch area by Monday night.
STORM SURGE: A life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels
by as much as 15 to 20 feet above normal tide levels in areas of
onshore winds on the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama Island. Near
the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive
waves.
RAINFALL: Dorian is expected to produce the following rainfall
totals through late this week:
Northwestern Bahamas...12 to 24 inches, isolated 30 inches.
Coastal Carolinas...5 to 10 inches, isolated 15 inches.
Central Bahamas and the Atlantic Coast from the Florida peninsula
through Georgia...2 to 4 inches, isolated 6 inches.
This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods.
SURF: Large swells will 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