Hurricane Irene A Potentially Historic Storm No.3

000
WTNT34 KNHC 270257
TCPAT4
BULLETIN
HURRICANE IRENE ADVISORY NUMBER 27
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
1100 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...IRENE MOVING NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD TOWARD SOUTHEASTERN NORTH
CAROLINA...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS LASHING THE CAROLINA COAST...AT 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS

.....LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 32.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.9 WEST. IRENE IS
MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 13 MPH...20 KM/H...AND THIS
GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT AND SATURDAY.
ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CORE OF THE HURRICANE WILL APPROACH THE
COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA TONIGHT AND PASS NEAR OR OVER THE NORTH
CAROLINA COAST SATURDAY MORNING. THE HURRICANE IS FORECAST TO MOVE
NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST SATURDAY NIGHT AND MOVE OVER
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ON SUNDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 100 MPH...160 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. IRENE IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON
HURRICANE WIND SCALE. NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS
FORECAST BEFORE IRENE REACHES THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA. SOME
WEAKENING IS EXPECTED AFTER THAT...BUT IRENE IS FORECAST TO REMAIN
A HURRICANE AS IT MOVES ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST ON SUNDAY.

HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 90 MILES...150 KM...FROM
THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 290
MILES...465 KM. DURING THE PAST HOUR...A WEATHERFLOW AUTOMATED
STATION REPORTED A SUSTAINED WIND OF 48 MPH...78 KM/H...AND A GUST
TO 64 MPH...104 KM/H AT THE FORT MACON STATE PARK NEAR ATLANTIC
BEACH NORTH CAROLINA.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE RECENTLY REPORTED BY AIR FORCE RESERVE
AND NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS 951 MB...28.08 INCHES.
000

FXUS61 KCAR 270225
AFDCAR
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME
1025 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

.SYNOPSIS...
-- Changed Discussion --HIGH PRESSURE WILL MOVE EAST OVERNIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY.
HURRICANE IRENE WILL MOVE NORTH ALONG THE EASTERN SEABOARD OVER
THE WEEKEND AND WILL IMPACT THE REGION SUNDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY

MONDAY.-- End Changed Discussion --
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --UPDATE...
HIGH PRESSURE WILL CROSS THE REGION OVERNIGHT BRINGING GENERALLY
MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES TO THE FORECAST AREA. HOWEVER...MORE EXTENSIVE
CLOUD COVER COULD REACH DOWNEAST AREAS LATER TONIGHT WITH LOW
CLOUDS MOVING ONSHORE. PATCHY FOG WILL ALSO DEVELOP OVERNIGHT...WITH
MORE EXTENSIVE FOG ALONG THE DOWNEAST COAST. OVERNIGHT LOW
TEMPERATURES WILL GENERALLY RANGE FROM THE UPPER 40S TO AROUND 50
NORTH...TO THE MID TO UPPER 50S DOWNEAST.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...
FOR SATURDAY...EARLY MORNING LOW CLOUDS / FOG WILL DIMINISH
THROUGH THE MORNING. HOWEVER MID AND HIGH CLOUD IN ADVANCE OF
IRENE WILL BEGIN TO OVERSPREAD COASTAL REGIONS DURING THE
AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION A FRONT PUSHING DOWN FROM THE NORTH WILL
BRING INCREASING CLOUDS OVER NORTHERN AREAS DURING THE AFTERNOON
WITH THE SLIGHT RISK OF A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS. TEMPERATURES WILL
BE A FEW DEGREES WARMER THAN TODAY WITH HUMIDITY LEVELS CREEPING
UP AS WELL. HIGHS WILL RANGE FROM THE LOW TO MID 70S NEAR THE
COAST AND BE IN THE 75 TO 80 DEGREE RANGE ELSEWHERE.-- End Changed Discussion --

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --PRIMARY FOCUS IS HURRICANE IRENE. CURRENT HURRICANE CENTER TRACK

TAKE IRENE ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA COAST AND THEN NORTHWARD ALONG
MID ATLANTIC COAST TO NEW JERSEY COAST SUNDAY MORNING THEN ACROSS
NEW ENGLAND LATER SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT. THE ECMWF TRACK IS
SIMILAR BUT A LITTLE FASTER. THE LATEST OPERATIONAL GFS TRACK IS
FURTHER TO THE EAST. CONSENSUS OF MODELS KEEPS THE TRACK CLOSE
ENOUGH TO THE COAST AS IRENE APPROACHES NEW ENGLAND SO THE WESTERN
SIDE OF THE SYSTEM IS OVER LAND. THIS WILL REDUCE THE INTENSITY
MORE THAN IF THE STORM TRACK WAS FURTHER TO THE EAST. NEVERTHELESS
WITH THE CURRENT TRACK AND SPEED OF THE SYSTEM TROPICAL STORM
FORCE WINDS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA WITH SOME GUSTS
TO HURRICANE FORCE. FOR WINDS HAVE USED THE TCMWIND TOOL OVERLAID
ON THE GFS TO INITIALIZE THE GRIDS. WILL DECREASE THE TCM WINDS BY
25 PERCENT OVER LAND. WILL ALSO HAND EDIT THE GRIDS. FOR WIND GUST
WILL USE 125 PERCENT OF THE SUSTAINED WIND SPEED. FOR POPS HAVE
USED A BLEND OF THE NAM12...SREF AND THE GFS40. THE GMOS WAS USED
FOR TEMPERATURE AND WIND GRIDS. A BLEND OF THE NAM12 AND GMOS WAS
USED FOR WIND UP TO 12Z SUNDAY WHEN A TRANSITION TO THE TCM WIND
TOOL WAS MADE.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE ENTIRE FORECAST AREA.-- End Changed Discussion --

Maine Warnings

Tropical Storm Watch

HURRICANE IRENE LOCAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME
534 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...LARGE HURRICANE IRENE HEADING TOWARD THE EAST COAST OF THE
UNITED STATES...HURRICANE WARNING EXTENDED NORTHWARD INTO
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...

.NEW INFORMATION...
TROPICAL STORM WATCHES HAVE BEEN ISSUED.

.AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS LOCAL STATEMENT PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR PEOPLE AND MARINE INTERESTS IN SELECT
LOCATIONS AND COASTAL WATER LEGS OF NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE...
COASTAL WATERS FROM STONINGTON ME TO EASTPORT ME OUT 25 NM.

.WATCHES/WARNINGS...
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
NORTHWEST AROOSTOOK...NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK...NORTHERN SOMERSET...
NORTHERN PISCATAQUIS...NORTHERN PENOBSCOT...SOUTHEAST AROOSTOOK...
CENTRAL PISCATAQUIS...CENTRAL PENOBSCOT...SOUTHERN PENOBSCOT...
INTERIOR HANCOCK...CENTRAL WASHINGTON...COASTAL HANCOCK...COASTAL
WASHINGTON...SOUTHERN PISCATAQUIS AND NORTHERN WASHINGTON.

FOR MARINE INTERESTS...A TROPICAL STORM WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL
OF COASTAL WATERS FROM STONINGTON ME TO EASTPORT ME OUT 25 NM.

A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE.
PLEASE LISTEN CLOSELY FOR ANY FLOOD WARNINGS THAT MIGHT BE IN
EFFECT FOR YOUR AREA.

.STORM INFORMATION...
AT 5 PM EDT...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 31.7N...LONGITUDE 77.4W. THIS WAS ABOUT 1010 MILES
SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF BAR HARBOR ME...OR ABOUT 1070 MILES SOUTHWEST
OF EASTPORT ME. STORM MOTION WAS N OR 360 DEGREES AT 14 MPH.
STORM INTENSITY WAS 100 MPH.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW...
HURRICANE IRENE IS EXPECTED TO HIT NORTH CAROLINA SATURDAY THEN
MOVE NORTHWARD INTO NEW ENGLAND SUNDAY INTO MONDAY. BASED ON THE
CURRENT STORM TRACK ....PEOPLE IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE
SHOULD PREPARE FOR A PERIOD OF STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAINFALL AS
WELL AS A POSSIBILITY OF COASTAL FLOODING.

THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR 1 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN ACROSS EASTERN
MAINE AND 3 TO 5 INCHES IN WESTERN AREAS.
STRONG WINDS ARE POSSIBLE WITH DOWNED TREES AND POWER OUTAGES.
UNCERTAINTY STILL EXISTS AS TO THE EXACT TRACK OF THE HURRICANE.
AND CONDITIONS WILL VARY SIGNIFICANTLY BASED ON THE TRACK.

.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
FOR THOSE UNDER A WATCH...NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN PREPARING YOUR
HOME OR BUSINESS ACCORDING TO YOUR HURRICANE DISASTER PLAN. LISTEN
FOR POSSIBLE WARNINGS AND BE READY TO EVACUATE IF NECESSARY. HEED
THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY ORDERS THAT ARE
ISSUED.

FOR INTERESTS AT PORTS...DOCKS...AND MARINAS...IT IS RECOMMENDED
THAT YOU PERFORM THE PRESCRIBED PREPARATIONS ACCORDING TO YOUR
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN FOR TROPICAL CYCLONES. IF YOU LIVE ON A
BOAT...BEGIN TO SAFELY SECURE YOUR CRAFT AND MAKE PLANS TO LEAVE
IT FOR ADEQUATE LAND BASED SHELTER. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

REGARDING THE COASTAL WATERS UNDER A WATCH...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD
RETURN TO PORT OR SEEK SAFE HARBOR.

CLOSELY MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS
FOR OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO
THE FORECAST.

FOR ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY AND PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION...
PLEASE REFER TO THE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS RELATIVE TO YOUR
LOCATION AS FURTHER DESCRIBED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE AND YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
&&

.NEXT UPDATE...
THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN CARIBOU AROUND 12 AM EDT...OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

ANZ050>052-MEZ001>006-010-011-015>017-029>032-272145-
/O.CON.KCAR.TR.A.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
COASTAL WATERS FROM EASTPORT ME TO SCHOODIC POINT ME OUT 25 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM SCHOODIC POINT ME TO STONINGTON ME OUT 25 NM-
INTRACOASTAL WATERS FROM SCHOODIC POINT ME TO STONINGTON ME-
NORTHWEST AROOSTOOK-NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK-NORTHERN SOMERSET-
NORTHERN PISCATAQUIS-NORTHERN PENOBSCOT-SOUTHEAST AROOSTOOK-
CENTRAL PISCATAQUIS-CENTRAL PENOBSCOT-SOUTHERN PENOBSCOT-
INTERIOR HANCOCK-CENTRAL WASHINGTON-COASTAL HANCOCK-
COASTAL WASHINGTON-SOUTHERN PISCATAQUIS-NORTHERN WASHINGTON-
534 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT...

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE...BEFORE
CONDITIONS DETERIORATE. KEEP INFORMED WHILE LISTENING FOR POSSIBLE
WARNINGS. SECURE LOOSE OUTDOOR OBJECTS WHICH CAN BE BLOWN AROUND.
BOAT OWNERS AND CAPTAINS OF SMALL CRAFT NEED TO DETERMINE THE
BEST STRATEGY FOR SECURING THEIR CRAFT.
&&

...PROBABILITY OF TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE CONDITIONS...
THE CHANCE FOR HURRICANE CONDITIONS AT THIS TIME IS VERY SMALL.
ALSO...THE CHANCE FOR TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS AT THIS TIME IS
UP TO 52 PERCENT. THIS REPRESENTS A GENERAL STEADY TREND SINCE
THE LAST FORECAST. THE ONSET OF TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS COULD
START AS EARLY AS SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

...WINDS AND SEAS...
AS HURRICANE IRENE MOVES CLOSER...THE THREAT FOR SUSTAINED HIGH
WINDS IS LIKELY TO INCREASE. THE LATEST FORECAST IS FOR TROPICAL
STORM FORCE WINDS FROM EARLY SUNDAY EVENING TO EARLY MONDAY
AFTERNOON.

A GENERAL CONCERN SHOULD BE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF AT LEAST MINOR
TO LOCALLY MODERATE DAMAGE SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE AREA.

...STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE...
BASED ON THE CURRENT TRACK OF IRENE A 2 TO 3 FOOT STORM SURGE IS
POSSIBLE. HIGH TIDE SUNDAY NIGHT IS OF GREATEST CONCERN. AT BAR
HARBOR AN ASTRONOMICAL TIDE OF 12.5 FEET WILL OCCUR AT 10:52 PM
SUNDAY EVENING. WITH THE EXPECTED STORM SURGE THIS WOULD RESULT IN A
STORM TIDE OF 14 TO 16 FEET.

$$
MIGNONE

Hurricane Irene Update Eleven

WOCN31 CWHX 262345

Tropical cyclone information statement updated by the Canadian
Hurricane Centre of Environment Canada at 8:36 PM ADT Friday
26 August 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Tropical cyclone information statement for:
Atlantic provinces
Southern Quebec.
For hurricane Irene.
The next statement will be issued by 3:00 AM ADT.
Hurricane Irene forecast to make landfall near Long Island new
York Sunday afternoon affecting Eastern Canada late Sunday into
Monday as it becomes post-tropical.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
==discussion==

1. Summary of basic information at 3.00 PM ADT.

Location: 32.2 north 77.1 west.
About 370 kilometers south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, North
Carolina.
Maximum sustained winds: 157 km/h.
Present movement: north at 22 km/h.
Minimum central pressure: 952 MB.

2. Public weather impacts and warnings summary.

Irene will affect eastern Canadian territory starting Sunday and into
early next week. The storm will be undergoing transition to
post-tropical with wind and rainfall spreading far from the storm
center. It is expected that the heaviest rainfall will occur to the
left of the track and highest winds to the right. Computer models
are suggesting this sort of pattern and it is consistent with a storm
that will be transforming to a post-tropical low. Over the weekend
we will be able to be more geographically specific about where these
effects will be felt. Although the official forecast track goes
through Maine, it is equally possible that Irene could track close to
the Bay of Fundy.

A. Wind.

It is still a bit too early to know what the wind speeds are likely
to be when Irene arrives. It is quite likely that sustained tropical
storm force winds (60+ km/h) will spread over much of the maritime
provinces and the eastern portions of Quebec. We will have a better
understanding over the weekend as to how strong the gusts may be.

B. Rainfall.

Heavy rain potentially exceeding 100 millimetres is likely over some
areas left of Irene's track. Additionally, a large band of heavy
rain is anticipated to spread out well ahead and to the right of the
storm centre which would be followed by the strongest winds. It is
worth noting that many parts of Eastern Canada have received above
normal rainfall this summer which could raise the risk of flooding.
This risk will be primarily left of the storm track. Details will
become available over the weekend.

C. Surge/waves.

The potential for high winds pushing storm surge and waves from the
southwest into the Bay of Fundy exists with this storm. It is
important to note that spring tides around midnight Sunday night and
midday Monday in that region could exacerbate surge/wave effects if
the storm were to arrive precisely coincident with those tides.
Note that as of now, there is a timing uncertainty of +/- 12 hours
with this storm. Storm surge and wave threats will also exist
throughout the maritime provinces and eastern portions of Quebec and
the St Lawrence river/gulf region with the arrival of the storm.
Details will become available over the weekend.

3. Marine impacts and warnings summary.

Gale force winds in advance of Irene will likely move into portions
of the southwestern maritime marine district late on Sunday.
These gales would spread to portions of the gulf of st.
Lawrence thereafter. Just right of the storm track, storm force or
even hurricane-force winds are possible. Wave heights up to 5 metres
are possible over southwestern maritime waters into the Bay of Fundy
late Sunday and/or Monday. Large waves could occur over portions of
the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the entrance to the St Lawrence river
when Irene approaches and passes through.

Please also refer to the public and marine forecasts and warnings
issued by Environment Canada for your area.

END/HATT/March

Hurricane Irene Update Ten

WOCN31 CWHX 261745
Tropical cyclone information statement updated by the Canadian
Hurricane Centre of Environment Canada at 2:52 PM ADT Friday
26 August 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Tropical cyclone information statement for:

Atlantic provinces
Southern Quebec.
For hurricane Irene.
The next statement will be issued by 9:00 PM ADT.
Hurricane Irene forecast to make landfall near Long Island new
York Sunday afternoon affecting Eastern Canada late Sunday into
Monday as it becomes post-tropical.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
==discussion==

1. Summary of basic information at 3.00 PM ADT.

Location: 31.0 north 77.5 west.
About 660 kilometers south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
Maximum sustained winds: 176 km/h.
Present movement: north at 22 km/h.
Minimum central pressure: 951 MB.

2. Public weather impacts and warnings summary.

Irene will affect eastern Canadian territory starting Sunday and into
early next week. The storm will be undergoing transition to
post-tropical with wind and rainfall spreading far from the storm
center. It is expected that the heaviest rainfall will occur to the
left of the track and highest winds to the right. Computer models
are suggesting this sort of pattern and it is consistent with a storm
that will be transforming to a post-tropical low. Over the weekend
we will be able to be more geographically specific about where these
effects will be felt.

A. Wind.

It is still a bit too early to know what the wind speeds are likely
to be when Irene arrives. It is quite likely that sustained tropical
storm force winds (60+ km/h) will spread over much of the maritime
provinces and the eastern portions of Quebec. We will have a better
understanding over the weekend as to how strong the gusts may be.

B. Rainfall.

Heavy rain potentially exceeding 100 millimetres is likely over some
areas left of Irene's track. Additionally, a large band of heavy
rain is likely to spread out well ahead and to the right of the storm
centre which would be followed by the strongest winds. It is worth
noting that many parts of Eastern Canada have received above normal
rainfall this summer which could raise the risk of flooding.
This risk will be primarily left of the storm track. Details will
become available over the weekend.

C. Surge/waves.

The potential for high winds pushing storm surge and waves from the
southwest into the Bay of Fundy exists with this storm. It is
important to note that spring tides around midnight Sunday night and
midday Monday in that region could exacerbate surge/wave effects if
the storm were to arrive coincident with those tides. Note that as
of today, there is a timing uncertainty of +/- 12 hours with this
storm. Storm surge and wave threats will also exist throughout the
maritime provinces and eastern portions of Quebec and the St Lawrence
river/gulf region with the arrival of the storm. Details will become
available over the weekend.

3. Marine impacts and warnings summary.

Gale force winds in advance of Irene will likely move into portions
of the southwestern maritime marine district late on Sunday.
These gales would spread to portions of the gulf of st.
Lawrence thereafter. Just right of storm track, storm force or even
hurricane-force winds are possible. Wave heights up to 5 metres are
possible over southwestern maritime waters into the Bay of Fundy late
Sunday and/or Monday. Large waves could occur over portions of the
Gulf of St. Lawrence and the entrance to the St Lawrence river when
Irene approaches and passes through....

.....Please also refer to the public and marine forecasts and warnings
issued by Environment Canada for your area.

END/HATT/FOGARTY/COUTURIER

Hurricane Irene Update Nine

000

WTNT34 KNHC 261445
TCPAT4

BULLETIN
HURRICANE IRENE ADVISORY NUMBER 25
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
1100 AM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...OUTER RAIN BANDS OF LARGE HURRICANE IRENE NEARING THE COAST OF
THE CAROLINAS....AT 1100 AM EDT...1500 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS

....LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 30.7 NORTH...LONGITUDE 77.3 WEST. IRENE IS
MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH NEAR 14 MPH...22 KM/H...AND THIS MOTION
IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TODAY. A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE
NORTH-NORTHEAST SHOULD BEGIN BY SATURDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...
THE CORE OF THE HURRICANE WILL PASS WELL OFF THE COAST OF GEORGIA
TODAY...APPROACH THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA TONIGHT...AND PASS
NEAR OR OVER THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST SATURDAY. THE HURRICANE
IS FORECAST TO MOVE NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST SATURDAY
NIGHT.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 105 MPH...165
KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IRENE IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS
FORECAST BEFORE IRENE REACHES THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA.

IRENE IS A LARGE TROPICAL CYCLONE. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND
OUTWARD UP TO 90 MILES...150 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL
STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 290 MILES...465 KM. NOAA
BUOY 41013 LOCATED ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF SOUTHPORT
NORTH CAROLINA RECENTLY MEASURED A WIND GUST TO 47 MPH...76 KM/H.

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE ESTIMATED FROM RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT DATA IS 946 MB...27.93 INCHES.