Quick update this morning, larry 60 mph, kate 105 mph

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good morning folks. A quick update this reveals some changes, but not alot. Hurricane Kate has strengthened to 105 mph and she could become a major hurricane later today. Kate would be the third major hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. Larry is still with 60 mph winds. The tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches remains the same. The only different is the motion has been stationary for the past 6 hours.

At 5 AM EDT, Tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches are in effect along the coast of Bay Of Campeche from Veracruz, Mexico to Campeche, Mexico on the Yucatan pennisula.

At 5 AM EDT, Larry was centered about 160 miles east northeast of Veracruz, Mexico. The coordinates if you're plotting at home are latitude 20.4 north, longitude 94.1 west.

Movement is stationary and this will continue to be the case for the next day or so. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next day or so.

Minimum central pressure is 993 mb or 29.32 inches. Coastal storm surge flooding should increase today along the Bay Of Campeche coast, particularly where the winds blow onshore. This coastal surge will be accompanied by large and battering waves. In addition heavy rains will also occur creating the potential for flooding and mudslides.

Hurricane Kate has strengthened to 105 mph this morning as she moves westward at this time. At 5 AM EDT, the center of Hurricane Kate was located near latitude 29.3 north, longitude 47.8 west or about 1025 miles east southeast of Bermuda. Kate is moving toward the west at near 12 mph and this motion is expected to continue during the next day or so.

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours and Kate could become the third major hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season, I'll say that right now. Hurricane force winds extend outward 35 miles from the center while tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles.

Minimum central pressure estimated by satellite is down to 970 mb or 28.64 inches.

Jim

[Guest]

Kate already has the appearrence of a major hurricane on the infrared.

[JCT777]

Thanks for the update Jim. I am just glad Kate is not going to affect the U.S. coastline!