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The (slightly-late because I was celebrating 13-0 straight-up and 11-2 against the line last night) 8 am intermediate advisory -

Tropical Storm Wilma Intermediate Advisory Number 7a
Statement as of 8:00 am EDT on October 17, 2005

 
...Wilma moving erratically in the Caribbean...

 
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 am EDT...1200z...the center of Tropical Storm Wilma was located
near latitude 16.8 north... longitude 79.6 west or about 205 miles
... 335 km... southeast of Grand Cayman.

 
Wilma is moving southward at about 5 mph ...8 km/hr...but a slow
motion toward the southwest or west is expected during the next 24
hours.  Steering currents remain weak and a continued erratic
motion is possible during the next day or two.

 
Maximum sustained winds are estimated to be near 40 mph... 65
km/hr...with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during
the next 24 hours.

 
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to  45 miles
... 75 km... mainly southwest of the center.

 
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 mb...29.53 inches.

 
The depression is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of
4 to 6 inches over the Cayman Islands and Jamaica... with isolated
amounts of 8 to 12 inches possible.

 
Repeating the 8 am EDT position...16.8 N... 79.6 W.  Movement
toward...south near 5 mph.  Maximum sustained
winds... 40 mph.  Minimum central pressure...1000 mb.

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

 
Forecaster Franklin

$$

We should start getting aircraft recon data about noon; the first flight of two today should already be feet-wet.