9 pm update
…HELENE SLIGHTLY STRONGER AS ITS EYE APPROACHES THE COAST OF THE FLORIDA BIG BEND…
…900 PM EDT POSITION UPDATE…
A University of Florida Coastal Monitoring Program tower located on Cedar Key recently reported a sustained wind of 55 mph (89 km/h) and a wind gust of 73 mph (117 km/h).
A NOAA National Ocean Service tide gauge located at Clearwater Beach recently reported a water level of 5.07 feet above mean higher high water, which is an approximation of inundation in that area.
SUMMARY OF 900 PM EDT…0100 UTC…INFORMATION
LOCATION…29.1N 84.2W
ABOUT 65 MI…105 KM W OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA
ABOUT 90 MI…145 KM S OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…140 MPH…225 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 24 MPH…39 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…941 MB…27.79 INCHES
Hurricanes.gov/#Helene
—————
UPDATE
…HELENE NOW AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE…
6:20 PM EDT Thursday September 26 2024
A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft currently investigating Helene recently found that the maximum sustained winds have increased to 130 mph (215 km/h). The minimum central pressure has also decreased to 947 mb (27.96 inches) based on dropsonde data.
For more information on the latest forecast, please visit: Hurricanes.gov/#Helene
—————
Earlier report:
NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center:
…AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND HELENE A MAJOR CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE…
2:25 PM EDT Thursday September 26 2024
The Air Force Hurricane Hunters found that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 120 mph (195 km/h). This makes Helene a dangerous Category 3 MAJOR hurricane. Additional strengthening is expected before Helene makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend this evening.
For information on the latest forecast, please visit: Hurricanes.gov/#Helene
For your reference:
- Category One: Winds 74 to 95 miles per hour (mph). …
- Category Two: Winds 96 to 110 mph. …
- Category Three: Winds 111 to 130 mph. …
- Category Four: Winds 131 to 155 mph. …
- Category Five: Winds greater than 155 mph.
