Bill Weakens to Category 3 Hurricane; Predicted Course Unchanged

Hurricane Bill has weakened somewhat from a category 4 storm to category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. It nonetheless remains a dangerous storm with maximum sustained winds of around 125 mph, 205 km/hr, with higher gusts.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned “interests in Bermuda” to monitor Bill’s progress, and indicated that a “hurricane or tropical storm watch will likely be required for Bermuda later this morning.”

The NHC’s latest bulletin (5:00am AST) placed the center of Hurricane Bill about 325 miles, 525 kms, north-northeast of the Leeward Islands and about 790 miles, 1270 kms, south-southeast of Bermuda.

“Bill is moving toward the northwest at around 18 mph, 30 km/hr, “and this general motion is expected for the next day or so with a turn toward the north-northwest by late Friday,” said the NHC. “Some strengthening is possible during the next 24 hours and Bill could regain category four status later today or Friday.”

The NHC described Bill as a “large tropical cyclone. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles, 140 kms, from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles, 370 kms.” Estimated minimum central pressure is 949 mb…28.02 inches.

The NHC added that islands in the northeast of the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda should be alert for “large swells associated with Bill.” The swells will eventually “begin to affect portions of the east coast of the United States Friday and Saturday.

So far Hurricane Bill has progressed along the course forecast by the NHC. It is not expected to impact the U.S. [see related article – https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2009/08/19/103113.htm]. However, on its current course it would come ashore along Canada’s eastern seaboard, but probably with reduced strength.

Source: National Hurricane Center – www.nhc.noaa.gov