516 WTNT31 KNHC 090251 TCPAT1 BULLETIN Tropical Storm Florence Advisory Number 39 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL062018 1100 PM AST Sat Sep 08 2018 ...FLORENCE STILL MOVING SLOWLY... ...EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE AT ANY TIME SOON... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...24.6N 55.2W ABOUT 790 MI...1270 KM SE OF BERMUDA ABOUT 675 MI...1085 KM NE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...110 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 6 MPH...9 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...989 MB...29.21 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 Tropical Storm Florence was located near latitude 24.6 North, longitude 55.2 West. Florence is moving toward the west near 6 mph (9 km/h). A west-northwestward to northwestward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected by the middle of next week. On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the southeastern U.S. coast on Thursday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts. Florence is expected to become a hurricane at any time soon and rapid intensification is likely to begin on Sunday. Florence is forecast to become a major hurricane by Monday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 989 mb (29.21 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- SURF: Swells generated by Florence are affecting Bermuda and are beginning to reach portions of the U.S. East Coast. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 500 AM AST. $$ Forecaster Avila