Replies

What are the odds that Franklin will issue a correction to this one? :-)

Tropical Storm Wilma Advisory Number 9
Statement as of 5:00 PM EDT on October 17, 2005

 
...Wilma poised to strengthen further...

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 5 PM EDT...2100z...the center of Tropical Storm Wilma was located
near latitude 15.8 north... longitude 79.9 west or about 255
miles... 415 km... south-southeast of Grand Cayman and about 225
miles... 365 km...east-northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios on the
Nicaragua/Honduras border.

 
Wilma has drifted southward over the past few hours...but a
gradual turn to the west is expected over the next 24 hours. 
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 tomorrow.

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

 
The minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve unit
reconnaissance aircraft was  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 5 PM EDT position...15.8 N... 79.9 W.  Movement
toward...drifting south.  Maximum sustained
winds... 50 mph.  Minimum central pressure... 989 mb.

 
An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National
Hurricane Center at 8 PM EDT followed by the next
complete advisory at 11 PM EDT.

 
Forecaster Franklin