| NHC: http://hurricanes.gov/ Floater: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/floaters/15L/15L_floater.html Radar: http://www.weather.bm/radar.asp HURRICANE NICOLE INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 35A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL152016 800 PM AST WED OCT 12 2016 ...NICOLE STRENGTHENS TO A MAJOR HURRICANE... ...HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT ON THE WAY TO INVESTIGATE... SUMMARY OF 800 PM AST...0000 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...29.6N 66.4W ABOUT 210 MI...335 KM SSW OF BERMUDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...115 MPH...185 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 15 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...956 MB...28.23 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Bermuda A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 800 PM AST (0000 UTC), the large eye of Hurricane Nicole was located near latitude 29.6 North, longitude 66.4 West. Nicole is moving toward the north-northeast near 10 mph (17 km/h). An increase in forward speed is expected tonight, followed by a northeastward turn and an additional increase in forward speed on Thursday. On the forecast track, the core of Hurricane Nicole will pass near or over Bermuda on Thursday. Satellite imagery indicates that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts. Nicole is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is possible tonight or early Thursday, and Nicole is forecast to be at or near major hurricane strength when it approaches Bermuda. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is currently on the way to investigate Nicole to provide more information on its intensity. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 956 mb (28.23 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected to begin on Bermuda Thursday morning, with tropical storm conditions expected to begin this evening. STORM SURGE: A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 8 feet above normal tide levels in Bermuda. The surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. RAINFALL: Nicole is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over Bermuda through Thursday. SURF: Swells associated with Nicole will affect Bermuda during the next few days. These swells will create dangerous surf conditions and rip currents. Please refer to products being issued by the Bermuda Weather Service. TORNADOES: Isolated tornadoes are possible on Bermuda tonight and early Thursday. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST. $$ Forecaster Brennan |