000 WTNT32 KNHC 150239 TCPAT2 BULLETIN Hurricane Ophelia Advisory Number 24 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172017 1100 PM AST Sat Oct 14 2017 ...LARGE EYE OF HURRICANE OPHELIA PASSING EAST OF THE AZORES... ...EXPECTED TO BECOME POST-TROPICAL BY SUNDAY NIGHT... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...37.3N 21.5W ABOUT 305 MI...490 KM E OF THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...115 MPH...185 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 55 DEGREES AT 28 MPH...44 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...960 MB...28.35 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 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Ophelia was located near latitude 37.3 North, longitude 21.5 West. Ophelia is moving toward the northeast near 28 mph (44 km/h). A continued northeast motion with an increase in forward speed is expected tonight and Sunday, followed by a turn toward the north-northeast Sunday night. On the forecast track, the center of Ophelia will continue to pass east of the Azores tonight, and approach Ireland on Monday. Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts. Ophelia is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Gradual weakening is forecast to begin later tonight, but Ophelia is forecast to become a post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds as it approaches Ireland on Monday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 960 mb (28.35 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical-storm-force winds are possible throughout the Azores through tonight, primarily due to a cold front that has passed through the islands. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 500 AM AST. $$ Forecaster Brown