Friday Map (ECMWF):
...Ophelia slightly stronger but remains stationary... ...Little movement expected today...
At 5 am EDT...0900z...a portion of the Hurricane Watch area from Savannah River South Carolina northeastward to Edisto Beach South Carolina has been discontinued.
A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the southeast coast of the United States from north of Edisto Beach South Carolina northeastward to Cape Lookout North Carolina. The Hurricane Watch may have to be shifted northward later today. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area...generally within 36 hours.
Interests elsewhere in the southeastern United States coastal region should monitor the progress of Ophelia.
For storm information specific to your area...including possible inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued by your local weather office.
At 5 am EDT...0900z...the center of Hurricane Ophelia was located near latitude 31.7 north... longitude 75.9 west or about 250 miles... 405 km... east-southeast of Charleston South Carolina and about 245 miles... 390 km...south of Cape Hatteras North Carolina.
Ophelia is stationary and is expected to remain nearly stationary today.
Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph... with higher gusts. Ophelia is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 978 mb...28.88 inches.
Repeating the 5 am EDT position...31.7 N... 75.9 W. Movement ...Stationary. Maximum sustained winds... 85 mph. Minimum central pressure... 978 mb.
An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 8 am EDT followed by the next complete advisory at 11 am EDT.
Forecaster Knabb