Dorian Becomes Dangerous Category 4 Storm With Maximum Sustained Winds Of 140 MPH
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - On Friday evening, Hurricane Dorian became a dangerous Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.
At 11 p.m., the center of the Dorian was 545 miles east of West Palm Beach. The storm had slowed to 10 mph.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.
A slower west-northwestward to westward motion should begin tonight and continue into early next week. On this track, the core of Dorian should move over the Atlantic well north of the southeastern and central Bahamas tonight and tomorrow, be near or over the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday, and be near the Florida east coast late Monday.
Some additional strengthening is possible tonight and Saturday. Although fluctuations in intensity are possible early next week, Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few days.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas.
Hurricane conditions are possible in the northwestern Bahamas by Sunday, with tropical storm conditions possible by Saturday night or Sunday morning.
A life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 10 to 15 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds in the northwestern Bahamas. Near the coast,the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Dorian is expected to produce the following rainfall amounts this weekend into the middle of next week:
Northwestern Bahamas and coastal sections of the Southeast United States - 6 to 12 inches, isolated 18 inches.
Central Bahamas - 1 to 2 inches, isolated 4 inches.
This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods.
Swells are likely to begin affecting the east-facing shores of the Bahamas, the Florida east coast, and the southeastern United
States coast during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
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