997 WTNT31 KNHC 050251 TCPAT1 BULLETIN Hurricane Florence Advisory Number 23 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL062018 1100 PM AST Tue Sep 04 2018 ...FLORENCE NOW A CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE OVER THE OPEN ATLANTIC... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...20.7N 43.9W ABOUT 1260 MI...2030 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS ABOUT 1515 MI...2440 KM ESE OF BERMUDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100 MPH...155 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 300 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...976 MB...28.82 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Florence was located near latitude 20.7 North, longitude 43.9 West. Florence is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue through Wednesday night. A northwestward motion is expected to begin by Thursday with Florence's forward speed decreasing by the weekend. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening could occur overnight, but a slow weakening trend is forecast to begin on Wednesday and continue through Friday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 976 mb (28.82 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- None. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 500 AM AST. $$ Forecaster Blake