Chris is now a category one hurricane. It's currently churning off the North Carolina coast, where it's been for the last day or so.
The storm is about 200 miles ESE of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour. It's moving off toward the Northeast at 10 miles per hour.
SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...33.7N 72.4W ABOUT 205 MI...330 KM ESE OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 50 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...980 MB...28.94 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Interests along the coast of North Carolina and in Atlantic Canada should monitor the progress of Hurricane Chris.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 500 PM EDT (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Chris was located near latitude 33.7 North, longitude 72.4 West. Chris is moving toward the northeast near 10 mph (17 km/h). A continued northeastward motion accompanied by a steady increase in forward speed is expected through Thursday night.
Reports from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast tonight and Wednesday. Chris is forecast to begin weakening by Thursday, and become a strong post-tropical cyclone by Thursday night or early Friday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km).
The minimum central pressure recently measured by the reconnaissance aircraft was 980 mb (28.94 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- SURF: Swells generated by Hurricane Chris are expected to increase and affect portions of the coasts of North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic states during the next few days. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.