Life-threatening surf from Hurricane Igor likely

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER

************************* AT 500 PM AST (2100 UTC) THE EYE OF HURRICANE IGOR WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 17.7 NORTH, LONGITUDE 50.5 WEST.

IGOR IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 10 MPH (17 KM/HR).

A TURN TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED TONIGHT FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE NORTHWEST ON TUESDAY NIGHT OR WEDNESDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 150 MPH (240 KM/HR) WITH HIGHER GUSTS.

SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS BUT IGOR IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN A POWERFUL HURRICANE THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 50 MILES (85 KM) FROM THE CENTER AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 195 MILES (315 KM).

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 933 MB (27.55 INCHES).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

SURF...SWELLS GENERATED BY IGOR WILL BEGIN AFFECTING THE LEEWARD ISLANDS ON TUESDAY AND WILL REACH PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY.

THESE SWELLS ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS.

PLEASE CONSULT PRODUCTS FROM YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

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