Elsa strengthens into a hurricane as conditions spreading through the Windward Islands
SUMMARY OF 830 AM AST...1230 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...13.1N 60.1W ABOUT 40 MI...65 KM W OF BARBADOS ABOUT 75 MI...120 KM E OF ST. VINCENT MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 28 MPH...44 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...995 MB...29.39 INCHES
At 830 AM AST (1230 UTC), the center of Hurricane Elsa was located
near latitude 13.1 North, longitude 60.1 West. Elsa is moving toward
the west-northwest near 28 mph (44 km/h), and this motion is
expected to continue during the next couple of days. On the
forecast track, Elsa will pass near or over portions of the
Windward Islands or the southern Leeward Islands this morning, move
across the eastern Caribbean Sea late today and tonight, and move
near the southern coast of Hispaniola on Saturday. By Sunday, Elsa
is forecast to move near Jamaica and portions of eastern Cuba.
Reports from Barbados indicate that maximum sustained winds have
increased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Little
change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles
(220 km). Barbados recently reported sustained winds of 74 mph
(119 km/h) and a wind gust of 86 mph (138 km/h).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 995 mb (29.39 inches).
Barbados recently reported a pressure of 998 mb (29.47 inches).
WIND: Hurricane conditions are occurring on Barbados, and are
expected in the hurricane warning area in the Windward Islands in
the next few hours. Tropical storm conditions are expected in
portions of the Windward and southern Leeward Islands within the
tropical storm warning areas and are possible in the tropical storm
watch areas later today. Tropical storm conditions are expected in
the warning areas in the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Saturday,
with hurricane conditions possible in southern Haiti. Tropical
storm conditions are possible in Jamaica Saturday night or early
Sunday.
STORM SURGE: A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1
to 3 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds in
the hurricane warning area in the Windward Islands and along the
southern coast of Hispaniola.
RAINFALL: Elsa is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6
inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches today across the Windward
and southern Leeward Islands, including Barbados. This rain may
lead to isolated flash flooding and mudslides.
Over Puerto Rico, rainfall of 1 to 3 inches with localized amounts
of 5 inches is expected late today into Saturday. This rain may lead
to isolated flash flooding and minor river flooding, along with the
potential for mudslides.
Across portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica, rainfall of 4 to
8 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches is possible
Saturday into Sunday. This rain may lead to scattered flash
flooding and mudslides.
