Hurricane Felix has been deepening rapidly overnight. When the Air Force plane left the hurricane last evening, it had a central pressure of 993 millibars. This morning, the latest penetration found a minimum pressure of 977 millibars.
FAST FACTS…4 AM CDT
LOCATION…LATITUDE 12.8 NORTH…LONGITUDE 68.7 WEST…ABOUT 400 MILES SSE OF SANTO DOMINGO IN THE DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC…AND ABOUT 85 MILES ENE OF ARUBA
MOVEMENT: W-18
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 100 MPH (CATEGORY TWO)
CENTRAL PRESSURE: 977 MB
The hurricane has seemed to escape the influence of continental air from South America. It is less than 100 miles north of the Venezuelan coast and less than 50 miles north of the island of Curacao. Hurricane force winds may brush the islands of Curacao and Aruba this morning.
It has been raining hard all morning at Flamingo Airport, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Temp 77F/DP 71F. Pressure 29.80. Wind: SW 16.
Felix is passing Curacao at its closest approach. From Hato Airport on the island at 6 a.m. CDT: 75F/73F with heavy rain showers, pressure 29.77, Wind SSW 18 gusting to 32 mph.
On Aruba at 6 a.m. CDT, Queen Beatrix Airport reports 78F/77F, light rain, pressure 29.80, wind NW 8.
Here is a link to the radar on Curacao from the Weather Service of the Netherland Antilles and Aruba. I am sorry I have no way to capture these images right now. They are impressive so catch them while you can.
FORECAST TRACK
The forecast track has been shifted southward in response to output from the models which has downplayed the northward turn. The track now gives a greater threat to the Honduran coast and the southern Yucatan Peninsula. The long range forecast will depend on the strength of any ridging over the Gulf of Mexico as Felix approaches the western Caribbean.
