Tropical update at 5 PM EDT

[WXBUFFJIM]

Hurricane Fabian becomes the first major hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic Hurricane Season. At 5 PM EDT, the center of major Hurricane Fabian was located near latitude 17.4 north, longitude 49.8 west or about 775 miles east of the Leser Antillies. Fabian is moving towards the west at around 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds have now increased to 115 mph with higher gusts. This makes Fabian a dangerous category 3 hurricane on the saffir simpson hurricane scale and Fabian is expected to intensify further over the next 24 hours possibly becoming a category 4 hurricane in the next day or two. Hurricane force winds extend outward 25 miles from the center while tropical storm force winds extend outward 115 miles. Minimum central pressure is now 960 millibars or 28.35 inches. That is a 13 millibar drop from 6 hours ago. Fabian is deepening rapidly.

Meanwhile in the Gulf Of Mexico, Tropical Storm Grace formed a few hours ago. A tropical storm warning remains in effect from High island to Corpus Cristi, Texas. At 4 PM the center of Tropical storm Grace was located near latitidue 25.6 north, longitude 93.7 west or about 280 miles east southeast of Corpus Cristi, TX. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. A airforce reserve reconnaissance aircraft is currently in tropical storm Grace and will provide further information on the strength of Tropical Storm Grace. Tropical Storm force winds extend outward 105 miles mainly to the east, northeast, and southeast of the center. Minimum central pressure is 1007 millibars or 29.74 inches.

Rainfall amounts of 6-8 inches with locally higher amounts are expected in the tropica storm warning areas. Coastal storm surge of 2-4 feet above normal tide levels along with large battering waves can be expected in the warned areas, especially to the right from where Grace moves onshore. Isolated tornadoes are also possible, especially north and east of the center of circulation.

Jimena continues as a hurricane in the central Pacific. A heavy surf advisory has now gone into effect for the east and southeast facing shores of Maui and the Big Island effective tonight and Sunday. In this area, waves will build tonight and reach heights of 8-12 feet in the surf zones by midday Sunday. As Jimena continues it's approach, waves could be even higher Sunday night into Monday, thus the advisory may be extended into Sunday night and Monday as well. Dangerous rip currents are a threat and people in the advisory area should stay out of the water, well away from the shore break.

The centr of Hurricane Jimena was located near latitude 17.4 north, longitude 143.8 west. Maximum sustained winds are now up to 105 mph with higher gusts. Jimena has likely peaked in intensity and a very slow weakening trend is possible for the next 48 hours. However Jimena should remain a strong category 1-category 2 hurricane through the forecast period. Minimum central pressure is now 973 mb or 28.73 inches.
Motion continues towards the west at about 20 mph.

Another update will be issued later this evening on all 3 systems as well as a more in depth look around the globe including a wave near the cape verde islands!!! Stay tuned.

Jim