803 WTNT32 KNHC 211145 TCPAT2 BULLETIN Hurricane Fiona Intermediate Advisory Number 28A NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL072022 800 AM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022 ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND HURRICANE WATCH ISSUED FOR BERMUDA... SUMMARY OF 800 AM EDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...24.2N 71.7W ABOUT 700 MI...1125 KM SW OF BERMUDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...215 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 8 MPH...13 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...937 MB...27.67 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch for Bermuda. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * Bermuda A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Bermuda A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 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 800 AM EDT (1200 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Fiona was located by an Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft near latitude 24.2 North, longitude 71.7 West. Fiona is moving toward the north near 8 mph (13 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue through this evening. 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. Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts. Fiona is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is forecast through tonight, with some fluctuations in intensity possible on 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 estimated from Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations is 937 mb (27.67 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 this morning. Tropical storm conditions are expected, and hurricane conditions are possible, on 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: 2 to 4 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 1100 AM EDT. $$ Forecaster Pasch