...Isidore moves near the Yucatan Peninsula with 125 mph winds... a Hurricane Warning is in effect on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from campeche north and eastward to tulum...including the island of Cozumel. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the western Cuba province of Pinar del Rio...including the Isle of Youth. At 7 am CDT...1200z...the center of Hurricane Isidore was located near latitude 21.9 north...longitude 88.2 west. This position is about 25 miles...35 km...north of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. This is also about 105 miles...170 km...east-northeast of Progreso Mexico. Isidore has been moving westward near 7 mph...11 km/hr. A slight turn toward the west-southwest at about the same forward speed is possible later today. On this track...the center will come very close to the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and may move onshore...bringing the core of the hurricane and the strongest winds with it. Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph...205 km/hr...with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours and Isidore could become a category four hurricane later today. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 50 miles... 85 km... from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles...325 km. The latest minimum central pressure measured by reconnaissance aircraft is 935 mb...27.61 inches. Some heavy rain is still possible over portions of western Cuba and the Isle of Youth. Very heavy rain is also affecting the northern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula and rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches are likely. Coastal storm surge flooding along the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is expected to reach 2 to 5 feet above normal tide levels along with battering waves. Storm surge flooding could increase to 8 to 12 feet above normal...if...and where...the center moves onshore. Repeating the 7 am CDT position...21.9 N... 88.2 W. Movement toward...west near 7 mph. Maximum sustained winds...125 mph. Minimum central pressure... 935 mb. For storm information specific to your area...please monitor products issued by your local weather office. The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 10 am CDT. Forecaster Stewart |