000 WTNT32 KNHC 132041 TCPAT2 BULLETIN Hurricane Ophelia Advisory Number 19 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172017 500 PM AST Fri Oct 13 2017 ...OPHELIA MAINTAINING STRENGTH WHILE ACCELERATING TOWARD THE EAST-NORTHEAST... SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...32.3N 31.8W ABOUT 480 MI...770 KM SW OF THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100 MPH...155 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...ENE OR 60 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...971 MB...28.68 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal tropical cyclone watches or warnings in effect. Interests in the Azores should refer to products issued by the Azores Weather Forecast and Watch Center. Interests in Ireland should monitor products issued by Met Eireann, and interests in the United Kingdom should monitor products issued by the UK Met Office. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Ophelia was located near latitude 32.3 North, longitude 31.8 West. Ophelia is moving toward the east-northeast near 13 mph (20 km/h). A continued east-northeast motion with an increase in forward speed is forecast through Saturday evening. A turn toward the northeast is expected on Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Ophelia will pass near or southeast of the southeastern Azores by early Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours and Ophelia is expected to remain a powerful cyclone for the next couple of days. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 971 mb (28.68 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical-storm-force winds are possible throughout the Azores beginning late Saturday or Saturday night due to an approaching cold front. RAINFALL: Ophelia is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches over the southeastern Azores through Saturday night. During the same time, a cold front and moisture associated with Ophelia is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 1 to 3 inches over the other islands of the Azores. This rainfall could produce flooding, especially over the southeastern Azores. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST. $$ Forecaster Zelinsky