Hurricane Ike Update: 10AM

...Ike weakens a little...expected to re-intensify...

at 11 am AST...1500 UTC...the government of Cuba has issued a
Hurricane Watch for portions of eastern Cuba including the
provinces of Guantanamo...Holguin...Las Tunas...Santiago de
Cuba...Granma...Camaguey.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the northern coast of
the Dominican Republic from Cabo Frances Viejo westward to the
northern border with Haiti.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Northern Peninsula of
Haiti from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to
gonaives.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Turks and Caicos
Islands and the southeastern Bahamas. A Hurricane Warning means
that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area
within the next 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and
property should be rushed to completion.


A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the central Bahamas. A
Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within
the watch area...generally within 36 hours.


All interests in the remainder of the Bahamas...Cuba...South
Florida...and the Florida Keys should closely monitor the progress
of this potentially dangerous hurricane.


For storm information specific to your area...including possible
inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued
by your local weather office.

At 1100 am AST...1500z...the center of Hurricane Ike was located
near latitude 21.9 north...longitude 68.8 west or about 150 miles...
240 km...east of Grand Turk island.

Ike is moving toward the west-southwest near 16 mph...26 km/hr...and
this general motion is expected to continue today and tonight. Ike
is forecast to turn toward the west on Sunday. On the forecast
track...Ike is expected to pass near or over the Turks and
Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas later today or early
Sunday...and then move near the central Bahamas and the northern
coast of eastern Cuba Sunday night and early Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph...175 km/hr...with higher
gusts. Ike is a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Some fluctuations in strength are possible during the next 48
hours...but Ike is expected to regain major hurricane strength
during this period.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 45 miles...75 km...from
the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125
miles...205 km.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 960 mb...28.35 inches.

Storm surge flooding of 9 to 12 feet above normal tide levels...
along with large and dangerous battering waves...can be
expected in the warning area near and to the north to the of
the center of Ike.

Rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches with isolated maximum amounts of
12 inches is expected over the Turks and Caicos Islands and
southeastern Bahamas. Hispaniola and eastern Cuba could see 6 to 12
inches of rain with isolated maximum amounts of up to 20 inches
possible. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods
and mudslides over mountainous terrain.

Repeating the 1100 am AST position...21.9 N...68.8 W. Movement
toward...west-southwest near 16 mph. Maximum sustained winds...110
mph. Minimum central pressure...960 mb.

An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane
Center at 200 PM AST followed by the next complete advisory at 500
PM AST.

$$
Forecaster Rhome/Beven