TROPICAL UPDATE @ 11 AM EDT, lots going on....

[WXBUFFJIM]

First of all, a new tropcal depression has formed in the western Gulf Of Mexico. Tropical Depression #11. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Texas coast from High Island to Corpus Christi. A tropical storm warning means that the tropical storm orce conditions with winds between 39-73 mph are expected at or before 24 hours time. At 11 AM the center of TD#11 ia near latitude 25.2 north, longitude 92.4 west or about 335 miles east southeast of Corpus Christi, TX. The depression is moving to the northwest at near 12 mph and this motion is expected to bring the center of the tropical cyclone to the Texas coast between Corpus Christi and High Island within 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds are now at 35 mph with higher gusts. TD#11 is expected to become a tropial storm prior to landfall on the Texas coast. The next name on the list is Grace. Minimum central pressure is 1008 mb or 29.77 inches. Rainfall amounts of 4-6 inches can be expected in areas east and northeast of the center of the depression. This may include the greater Houston area and possibly Galveston as well. Isolated tornadoes are also possible in areas northeast of the center as well.

Hurricane Fabian continues to intensify this morning. Fabian is now centered at latitude 17.2 north, longitude 48.6 west or about 885 miles east of the Lesser Antillies. Fabian is moving to the west northwest at 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds have now increased to 100 mph with higher gusts. This makes Fabian a category 2 hurricane on the saffir simpson hurricane scale. Additional strengthening is forecast and Fabian is forecast to become a major hurricane by Sunday.

Hurricane force winds extend outward 15 nm from the center while the tropical storm force winds extends outward 85 nm from the center. Minimum central pressure is 973 mb or 28.73 inches.

Hurricane Jimena first update from the central Pacific Hurricane Center from Honoulu shows the position at 17.4 north, 142.2 est as of 11 am edt. Maximum sustained winds remain at 100 mph with higher gusts. Minimum central pressure is 973 mb, 28.73 inches. At this stage, Jimena is as strong as hurricane Fabian intensity wise. The westward motion continues at about 17 mph. This brings the center of Jimena very close to the big island of Hawaii within 36 hours. No watches or warnings are in effect for Hawaii, but watches or warnings maybe needed later today or tonight for the hawaiian islands.

Finally on this very busy day, typhoon Dujuan in the west pac. The center of typhoon Dujuan is near latitude 17.7 north, longitude 133.2 east. Maximum sustained winds are 85 mph with higher gusts. Further strengthening is forecast and Taiwan is in the path of Dujuan over the next few days as the motion continues to the northwest at 13 mph.

That's the long tropical update for this time. Busier day than ever in 2003 and a wave off the African coast could make things even busier as time goes on. Stay tuned.

Jim