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8AM UPDATE: IRMA APPEARS STRONGER BASED ON RECONNAISSANCE REPORTS

8AM UPDATE: IRMA APPEARS STRONGER BASED ON RECONNAISSANCE REPORTS

September 4, 20175933Views

According to the National Hurricane Centre, at 800 AM AST (1200 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 16.8 North, longitude 52.6 West.  Irma is moving toward the west-southwest near 14 mph (22 km/h).  A turn toward the west is expected later today, followed by a west-northwestward turn late Tuesday.  On the forecast track, the center of Irma will move closer to the Leeward Islands through Tuesday and then be near the northern Leeward Islands Tuesday night.

Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 120 mph (195 km/h) with higher gusts.  Irma is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Additional strengthening is

forecast through Tuesday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

The latest minimum central pressure estimated from data received by the reconnaissance aircraft is 947 mb (27.96 inches).

Full advisory to follow at 11AM.

Please note: Not a true image of Hurricane Irma

Please continue to monitor local media stations, DDM’s website (bviddm.com) and Facebook at BVIDDM for regular updates and preparedness tips.

Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources used or contracted by the DDM to provide such information. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDM or the BVI Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.