[NautiNurse]

Hurricane Wilma Advisory Number 16
Statement as of 5:00 am EDT on October 19, 2005

 
...Air Force reconnaissance plane reported 884 mb...the lowest
minimum pressure ever measured in a hurricane in the Atlantic
Basin...this value should be used with caution until calibrated... 

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the East Coast of the Yucatan
Peninsula from Cabo Catoche to Punta gruesa.

 

A Hurricane Watch remains in effect in Cuba for the provinces of
Matanzas westward through Pinar del Rio...and for the Isle of
Youth.  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 extremely dangerous Hurricane Wilma.

 
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 Wilma was located near
latitude 17.2 north...longitude  82.5 west or about  170 miles...
270 km...south-southwest of Grand Cayman and about  365 miles...
590 km...southeast of Cozumel Mexico.

 
Wilma is moving toward the west-northwest near 8 mph...13 km/hr.  A
turn toward the northwest is expected during the next 24 hours. 

 
Maximum sustained winds are near 175 mph...280 km/hr...with higher
gusts. Wilma is a catastrophic category five hurricane on the
Saffir-Simpson scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected 
during the next 24 hours.

 
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to  15 miles... 30 km...
from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up
to 160 miles...260 km.

 
An Air Force plane just measured a minimum central pressure of 884
mb...26.10 inches. This is the lowest pressure ever recorded in a
hurricane in the Atlantic Basin. However...this pressure value
should be used with caution until it is fully calibrated. 

Wilma is expected to produce storm total accumulations of 10 to 15
inches...with local amounts near 25 inches in mountainous terrain
across Cuba through Friday.  Additional rainfall accumulations of 5
to 10 inches...with local amounts of 15 inches...are possible
across the Cayman Islands...Swan Island...and Jamaica through
Thursday.  Storm total accumulations of 4 to 6 inches...with
isolated amounts of 8 to 12 inches...are possible from Honduras
northward to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico through Thursday.

 
Repeating the 5 am EDT position...17.2 N... 82.5 W.  Movement
toward...west-northwest near  8 mph.  Maximum sustained winds...175
mph.  Minimum central pressure... 884 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 Avila

[NautiNurse]

Category Five Hurricane Wilma
Movement toward west-northwest near 8 mph. Maximum sustained winds...175 mph. Minimum central pressure 884 mb....the lowest minimum pressure ever measured in a hurricane in the Atlantic Basin.

[NautiNurse]

Category Five Hurricane Wilma
Movement toward west-northwest near 8 mph. Maximum sustained winds...175 mph. Minimum central pressure 884 mb....the lowest minimum pressure ever measured in a hurricane in the Atlantic Basin.

[kingu]

This number should be used with caution.. Ahh, yes, the most conservative forecaster in the NHC. It just wouldn't be morning without the dispassionate and understated commentary.

If there is a weather hound that is asleep right now, I'd be shocked. Folks that I had no clue were weather hounds have called me this early in the morning to share the jaw dropping news.

Hopefully this storm will shred itself apart and aside from interesting surfing competitions in the tourist areas, that will be all that comes from this storm. I fear that isn't the case, though she should lose strength over the next 24 hours. Restrengthening would be unusual, but - we're dealing with a CAT5 'W' storm south of Cuba - I'm sorry, but any predictions are just educated guesses right now.

I will note that the GDFL ramp up that a lot of people discounted was actually conservative in its estimates - absolutely amazing.

Come on, Wilma, we heard you roar, please go put yourself to bed now. Everyone's had enough hurricanes for the year, and that bathtub of a gulf could use a break, not to mention Central American nations that are still recovering.

[Siouxz]

What a thing to wake up to! My sons (21 & 19) and their girlfriends, and an elderly uncle and aunt live in North Port. My mom and sister live in New Port Richy. This is going to be a very stressful weekend. Prayers for everyone in Wilma's path.

My boys just moved down to FL from PA in April, so they know nothing about surviving a hurricaine. I sure hope they're not going to be those idiots you see at the beach 6 hours before it hits, trying to catch some waves LOL.

[backhoe]

Hurricane Wilma Advisory Number 16 Statement as of 5:00 am EDT on October 19, 2005 Maximum sustained winds are near 175 mph...280 km/hr...with higher gusts. Wilma is a catastrophic category five hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

[tutstar]

I saw the title revision of 175 mph and thought it was a joke.
I knew she would strengthen overnight but this is unbelievable!!

[tiredoflaundry]

ok, Now I'm scared.