Miami, Florida—(ENEWSPF)—September 2, 2011 – UPDATE 11 AM AST. The National Hurricane Center is reporting that Katia has been categorized a Category 1 Hurricane. As of 11 AM AST (1500 UTC), Hurricane Katia is located 17.5 North, 52.4 W, approximately 705 miles (1135 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Maximum sustained winds are 75 mph (120 km/h). Present movement is WNW or 300 degrees at 14 mph (22km/h). Minimum central pressure is 991 mb (29.26 inches).
There are no coastal watches or warnings currently in effect.
Discussion and 48-Hour Outlook
At 11 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Katia was located near latitude 17.5 north, longitude 52.4 west. Katia is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h) and a motion toward the west-northwest or northwest at a slightly slower rate of speed is anticipated for the next two days.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Katia is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 155 miles (250 km). Estimated minimum central pressure is 991 mb (29.26 inches).
Hazards Affecting Land
Swells generated by Katia will begin affecting the Lesser Antilles by late today. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your Local Weather Office.
Surface Wind Field
Click image to zoom in![[Image of initial wind radii]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT12/refresh/AL1211R_sm2+gif/145315R_sm.gif)
About this product:
This graphic shows the areas potentially being affected by the sustained winds of tropical storm force (in orange) and hurricane force (in red). The display is based on the wind radii contained in the latest Forecast/Advisory (indicated at the top of the figure). Users are reminded that the Forecast/Advisory wind radii represent the maximum possible extent of a given wind speed within particular quadrants around the tropical cyclone. As a result, not all locations falling within the orange or red shaded areas will be experiencing sustained tropical storm or hurricane force winds, respectively.
In addition to the wind field, this graphic shows an approximate representation of coastal areas under a hurricane warning (red), hurricane watch (pink), tropical storm warning (blue) and tropical storm watch (yellow). The white dot indicates the current position of the center of the tropical cyclone, and the dashed line shows the history of the center of the tropical cyclone.
Source: nhc.noaa.gov
