318 WTNT33 KNHC 240239 TCPAT3 BULLETIN Tropical Storm Sam Advisory Number 6 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL182021 1100 PM AST Thu Sep 23 2021 ...SMALL SAM RAPIDLY INTENSIFYING... ...RAPID INTENSIFICATION FORECAST TO CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...11.2N 40.9W ABOUT 1560 MI...2505 KM ESE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...110 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...997 MB...29.44 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Sam was located near latitude 11.2 North, longitude 40.9 West. Sam is moving toward the west near 15 mph (24 km/h), and this motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through Saturday. A motion toward the west-northwest at an even slower forward speed is expected late Saturday into Sunday. Sam is rapidly intensifying, and maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is forecast to continue through early Saturday. Sam is likely to become a hurricane very soon and then could be a major hurricane by Friday night or early Saturday. Sam is a small tropical storm. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb (29.44 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- None. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 500 AM AST. $$ Forecaster Berg