Fabian and Jimena at 11 PM EDT, 5 PM HST

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good evening. Hurricane Fabian continues to intensify and is a dangrous but strong category 4 hurricane well east of the northern Leeward Islands.

At 11 PM EDT, the center of Hurricane Fabian was located near latitude 18.5 north, longitude 54.8 west or about 460 miles east of Barbuda in the northern Leeward Islands. Fabian is moving to the west northwest at 10 mph and this general motion is expected to continue. This will keep the center of Fabian north of the Leeward Islands and north of Puerto Rico. However higher than normal waves and dangerous rip currents can be expected on the north and northeast facing beaches of the northern Lesser Antillies.

Maximum sustained winds as estimated by satellite imaginary have now increased to 140 mph with higher gusts. Some fluctuation in intensity is possible during the next 24 hours. However the hurricane hunter aircraft is enroute and will be over Hurricane Fabian at 2 am edt Monday morning and we'll have a better idea on the exact pressure and intensity with this system on the next advisory later this upcoming morning.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center while tropical storm force winds extend outward 125 miles. The minimum central pressure is now 940 mb or 27.76 inches.

Jimena on the other hand has weakened some over the central pacific. The tropical storm warning and hurricane watches remain the same over the big island. Flood watches continue on the big island as well due to the prospects of heavy rainfall amounts averaging about a half a foot or so.

At 11 PM EDT 5 PM HST the center of Hurricane Jimena is near latitude 18.2 north, longitude 152.4 west or about 215 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Jimena is moving west at 17 mph, maximum sustaned winds have decreased now to 85 mph, and minimum central pressure stands at 981 mb. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center while tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.

High surf with surf zone waves of 8-12 feet, dangerous rip currents, flooding rains, and gusty winds with damaging wind gusts can be expected on Hawaii's big island later tonite through early Monday.

Another update to come soon. Good night for now.

Jim

[WXBUFFJIM]

It seems Fabian is moving more due west. If this due west motion were to continue for another 12-18 hours, the extreme norther Leeward Islands could see not only high waves and dangerous rip currents, but the potential for a few heavy squalls with wind gusts to tropical storm force. That indeed is a good possibility and needs to be monitored very carefully throughout the day on Monday!!!

This is something that I'll update on all night long and new recon info will be in within the next 2-2 1/2 hours or so!!! Stay tuned!

Jim

[rainstorm]

thanks jim, keep us updated!!. lets see if the west motion continues