NHC: Tropical Storm Erika Weakens Slightly, Due To Hit Florida Monday
By Space Coast Daily // August 27, 2015
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE – The 2 p.m. Thursday National Hurricane Center update on Tropical Storm #Erika shows that the storm has not yet begun the west-northwest turn and is moving westerly at 16 mph, with 45 mph max winds.
At 2 p.m. AST (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 16.5 North, longitude 63.8 West. Erika is moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h).
2:00 PM AST Thu Aug 27
Location: 16.5°N 63.8°W
Moving: W at 16 mph
Min pressure: 1006 mb
Max sustained: 45 mph
A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast later today, and this general motion should continue for the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move near the Virgin Islands later today, move near or over Puerto Rico tonight, and move near or over the Dominican Republic on Friday.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) to the east of the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb (29.71 inches).
Visit http://www.ready.gov for more information and continue to closely monitor the latest updates on Erika by visiting the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center website at www.nhc.noaa.gov
