Hurricane Katia to send hazardous surf to Central Florida coast – #SurfReport

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Hurricane Katia to send hazardous surf to Central Florida coast

By Danny Treanor, Meteorologist
Last Updated: Monday, September 05, 2011 10:57 AM

ORLANDO —

Hurricane Katia is stronger and more dangerous. The story is still over 1,000 miles from Florida, and the predicted track keeps it away from us, with a turn to the open Atlantic Ocean by Thursday or Friday.

Katia will be in a favorable environment over the next few days for intensification. The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states could see a closer pass, with potential impacts late this week.

In Central Florida, a rip current threat, along with increasing surf, will be the main concerns starting Monday.

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HURRICANE KATIA ADVISORY

11 a.m. update — Katia strengthens and develops a large eye.

Watches and warnings

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
48-hour outlook

At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Katia was located near latitude 24.6 north, longitude 63.3 west.

Katia is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph, and this general motion, with a slight decrease in forward speed, is expected through Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 110 mph, with higher gusts. Katia is a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale. Additional strengthening is still forecast, and Katia is expected to become a major hurricane later today.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 965 mb, or 28.50 inches.
Hazards affecting land

SURF: Large swells generated by Katia are expected to affect most of the East Coast of the United States, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles and east-facing beaches of the Bahamas during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Swells affecting the northern Leeward Islands should begin to subside today.

For the full surf and weather report go here:

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/september/306553/Hurricane-Katia-to-send-hazardous-surf-to-Central-Florida-coast