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Hurricane Wilma Intermediate Advisory Number 13a

Statement as of 8:00 PM EDT on October 18, 2005

...Wilma undergoing rapid intensification...

a Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the provinces of Matanzas
westward through Pinar del Rio...and for the Isle of Youth. A
Hurricane Watch also remains in effect for the Yucatan Peninsula of
Mexico from Punta Allen to Cabo Catoche. A Hurricane Watch means
that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area...
generally within 36 hours.

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.

All interests in the Florida Keys and the Florida Peninsula should
closely monitor the progress of Wilma.

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 Hurricane Wilma was located near
latitude 16.7 north... longitude 81.8 west or about 185 miles...
295 km... south of Grand Cayman.

While the center has wobbled a little westward over the past few
hours...Wilma is moving generally toward the west-northwest near 8
mph...13 km/hr. A turn to the northwest is expected during the
next 24 hours.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate
that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph...160
km/hr...with higher gusts. This makes Wilma a category two
hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The aircraft reports that
the central pressure is falling rapidly... and Wilma is expected to
become a major hurricane later tonight or on Wednesday.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles... 30 km...
from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up
to 140 miles...220 km. NOAA buoy 42057 northeast of the center
recently reported sustained winds of 55 mph... 88 km/hr...with a
gust of 63 mph... 101 km/hr.

The latest minimum central pressure reported by the hurricane hunter
was 954 mb...28.17 inches.

Wilma is expected to produce additional rainfall accumulations of 5
to 10 inches...with isolated amounts of 15 inches...over the Cayman
Islands...Jamaica...Haiti...and Cuba. Total rainfall accumulations
of 4 to 6 inches...with isolated amounts of 12 inches...are
possible over portions of Honduras and Nicaragua.

Repeating the 8 PM EDT position...16.7 N... 81.8 W. Movement
toward...west-northwest near 8 mph. Maximum sustained
winds... 100 mph. Minimum central pressure... 954 mb.

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

Forecaster Beven

$$

Yikes.