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Tropical Storm Wilma Intermediate Advisory Number 9a
Statement as of 8:00 PM EDT on October 17, 2005

 
...Wilma nearly stationary but expected to turn westward...

 
a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Honduras from the
Honduras/Nicaragua border westward to Cabo camaron.

 

A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch remain in effect for
the Cayman Islands.

 
For storm information specific to your area...including possible
inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued
by your local weather office.

 
At 8 PM EDT...0000z...the center of Tropical Storm Wilma was located
near latitude 15.7 north... longitude 79.9 west or about 265
miles... 425 km... south-southeast of Grand Cayman and about 225
miles... 360 km... east-northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios on the
Nicaragua/Honduras border.

Wilma has become nearly stationary... but a motion toward the west
is expected to begin later tonight or on Tuesday.  Steering
currents remain weak and erratic motion is possible during the next
24 hours.

 
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph... 85 km/hr... with higher
gusts.  Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24
hours... and Wilma could become a hurricane on Tuesday.

 
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles... 110 km
from the center.

 
The estimated minimum central pressure is 989 mb...29.20 inches.

 
Wilma is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches
over the Cayman Islands...Jamaica...Haiti...and southeastern
Cuba...with isolated amounts of 8 to 12 inches possible. Rainfall
accumulations of 2 to 3 inches...with isolated amounts of 6 to 10
inches...are possible over Honduras.

 
Repeating the 8 PM EDT position...15.7 N... 79.9 W. 
Movement...nearly stationary.  Maximum sustained
winds... 50 mph.  Minimum central pressure... 989 mb.

 
The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at
11 PM EDT.

 
Forecaster Knabb