191 WTNT33 KNHC 020851 TCPAT3 BULLETIN Tropical Storm Leslie Advisory Number 24 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132018 500 AM AST Tue Oct 02 2018 ...LESLIE STRENGTHENS SLIGHTLY WHILE MOVING SLOWLY SOUTHWESTWARD OVER THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC... SUMMARY OF 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...31.6N 55.6W ABOUT 540 MI...870 KM E OF BERMUDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...65 MPH...100 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...SW OR 220 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 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 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Leslie was located near latitude 31.6 North, longitude 55.6 West. Leslie is moving toward the southwest near 7 mph (11 km/h). A slow southwestward or south-southwestward motion is expected through Wednesday morning. A turn to the north is forecast to occur late Wednesday into Thursday, followed by a motion toward the north-northeast on Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours, and Leslie is forecast to become a hurricane by Wednesday morning. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 989 mb (29.21 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- SURF: Large swells generated by Leslie will continue to affect portions of the southeastern coast of the United States, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. Although the swells are forecast to abate temporarily in the Bahamas later today, they are expected to increase again on Wednesday and Thursday and propagate farther southward into the Greater and Lesser Antilles. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 AM AST. $$ Forecaster Stewart