National Hurricane Center update as of 8:00 am today

[randymon]

Bulletin
tropical storm sandy intermediate advisory number 8a
nws national hurricane center miami fl al182012
800 am edt wed oct 24 2012

...sandy approaching jamaica...


Summary of 800 am edt...1200 utc...information
----------------------------------------------
location...16.6n 76.9w
about 95 mi...155 km s of kingston jamaica
about 270 mi...440 km ssw of guantanamo cuba
maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h
present movement...n or 10 degrees at 14 mph...22 km/h
minimum central pressure...983 mb...29.03 inches


watches and warnings
--------------------
changes with this advisory...

The government of the bahamas has changed the tropical storm watch
for the northwestern bahamas to a tropical storm warning.

Summary of watches and warnings in effect...

A hurricane warning is in effect for...
* jamaica
* cuban provinces of camaguey...las tunas...granma...santiago de
cuba...holguin...and guantanamo

a tropical storm warning is in effect for...
* haiti
* the central bahamas
* the northwestern bahamas

a tropical storm watch is in effect for...
* the southeastern bahamas
* florida east coast from jupiter inlet to ocean reef
* florida upper keys from ocean reef to craig key
* florida bay

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...in this case within 24
to 36 hours.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area...generally within 48 hours.

A tropical storm watch may be required for portions of east-central
florida later this morning.

For storm information specific to your area in the united states...
Including possible inland watches and warnings...please monitor
products issued by your local national weather service forecast
office. For storm information specific to your area outside the
united states...please monitor products issued by your national
meteorological service.


Discussion and 48-hour outlook
------------------------------
at 800 am edt...1200 utc...the center of tropical storm sandy was
located by an air force reserve hurricane hunter aircraft near
latitude 16.6 north...longitude 76.9 west. Sandy is moving toward
the north near 14 mph...22 km/h...and this general motion is
expected to continue through thursday accompanied by a gradual
increase in forward speed. On the forecast track...the center of
sandy is expected to move across jamaica by late this afternoon and
evening...move near or over eastern cuba late tonight and thursday
morning...and approach the central bahamas on thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph...110 km/h...with higher
gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48
hours...and sandy is expected to become a hurricane before it
reaches jamaica and cuba.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles...220 km
from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on data from the
aircraft is 983 mb...29.03 inches.


Hazards affecting land
----------------------
wind...tropical storm conditions are expected to reach jamaica this
morning...with hurricane conditions expected by this afternoon.
Tropical storm conditions are expected in portions of haiti by this
afternoon. Hurricane conditions are possible in eastern cuba by
this evening. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the central
bahamas by early thursday...and in the northwestern bahamas by
thursday afternoon. Tropical storm conditions are possible along
the southeast florida coast...the upper keys...and florida bay by
friday morning.

Rainfall...sandy is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 6
to 12 inches across jamaica...haiti...the dominican republic and
eastern cuba...with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches possible.
These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mud
slides...especially in areas of mountainous terrain. Rainfall
totals of 3 to 5 inches are expected over portions of the
bahamas...with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches.

Storm surge...a storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1
to 3 feet above normal tide levels along the southern and eastern
coast of jamaica. A storm surge will raise water levels by as much
as 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels in southeastern cuba. A
storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 7 ft above
normal tide levels in the bahamas within the tropical storm warning
area. Near the coast...the surge will be accompanied by large and
dangerous waves.


Next advisory
-------------
next complete advisory...1100 am edt.

[MeandT]

Be safe, guests and Couples team members. Sending good thoughts from the UK.

[mainesunlover]

Stay safe! Praying for the Couples family.