BULLETINTROPICAL STORM ERIKA INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 6ANWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 800 AM AST WED AUG 26 2015 HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT FINDS ERIKA SLIGHTLY STRONGER SUMMARY OF 800 AM AST…1200 UTC…INFORMATION————————————-
———LOCATION…16.2N 56.8WABOUT 335 MI…540 KM E OF ANTIGUA AND 397 MI / 640 KM ESE OF ST. KITTS & NEVIS.MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…45 MPH…75 KM/HPRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 280 DEGREES AT 17 MPH…28 KM/HMINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1005 MB…29.68 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS——————–CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for;* Anguilla* Saba and St. Eustatius* St. Maarten* Montserrat* Antigua and Barbuda* St. Kitts and Nevis* Puerto Rico* Vieques* Culebra* U.S. Virgin Islands* British Virgin Islands A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for;* Guadeloupe* St. Martin* St. Barthelemy A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions areexpected somewhere within the warning area, generally within 36hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions arepossible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. For storm information specific to your area in the United States,including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitorproducts issued by your local National Weather Service forecastoffice. For storm information specific to your area outside theUnited States, please monitor products issued by your nationalmeteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK——————————At 800 AM AST (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Erika waslocated near latitude 16.2 North, longitude 56.8 West. Erika ismoving toward the west near 17 mph (28 km/h), and a west towest-northwestward motion is expected over the next 48 hours.On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move near or overportions of the Leeward Islands tonight and move near theVirgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday. Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicatethat the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph(75 km/h) with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecastduring the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km)primarily to the east of the center. The latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force ReserveHurricane Hunter aircraft is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach thewarning area in the Leeward Islands tonight, and reach the VirginIslands and Puerto Rico on Thursday. Tropical storm conditions arepossible in the watch area tonight and early Thursday. RAINFALL: Erika is expected to produce total rain accumulations of2 to 4 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across portions ofthe Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico throughFriday morning. NEXT ADVISORY————-Next complete advisory at 1100 AM AST.