009 WTNT32 KNHC 210551 TCPAT2 BULLETIN Hurricane Fiona Intermediate Advisory Number 27A NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL072022 200 AM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022 ...FIONA BECOMES A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE WHILE MOVING AWAY FROM THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS... SUMMARY OF 200 AM EDT...0600 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...23.4N 71.8W ABOUT 105 MI...170 KM N OF NORTH CAICOS ISLAND ABOUT 755 MI...1215 KM SW OF BERMUDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...210 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 350 DEGREES AT 8 MPH...13 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...942 MB...27.82 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Bermuda A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. Interests in Atlantic Canada should monitor the progress of this system. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 200 AM EDT (0600 UTC), the center of Hurricane Fiona was located near latitude 23.4 North, longitude 71.8 West. Fiona is moving toward the north near 8 mph (13 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue through today. A turn toward the north-northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected by Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Fiona will continue to move away from the Turks and Caicos today, and approach Bermuda late on Thursday. Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds are now near 130 mph (210 km/h) with higher gusts. Fiona is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional strengthening is forecast through tonight. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible tonight and Thursday. 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 latest minimum central pressure reported by the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 942 mb (27.82 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Hurricane Fiona can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT2 and WMO header WTNT42 KNHC and on the web at hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT2.shtml. WIND: Gusty winds are likely to continue over portions of the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos islands overnight. Tropical storm conditions could reach Bermuda by late Thursday or early Friday. RAINFALL: Fiona is forecast to produce the following rainfall: Dominican Republic: Up to an additional local 1 to 2 inches. Storm Total up to 20 inches in the eastern section. Turks and Caicos: Additional 1 to 3 inches with storm totals of 5-10 inches. Areas of flooding remain possible. Southeast Bahamas: 1 to 4 inches. Bermuda: 1 to 3 inches. SURF: Swells generated by Fiona are affecting the northern coast of Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the southeastern and central Bahamas. These swells will continue to spread westward across the southwestern Atlantic toward the northwestern Bahamas and the east coast of the United States during the next day or two. Swells from Fiona are expected to reach Bermuda by early Thursday. The swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 500 AM EDT. $$ Forecaster Beven