Former Tropical Storm Imelda intensified to a hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean east of Florida on Tuesday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Imelda was located at latitude 29.0°N and longitude 76.9°W which put the center about 755 miles (1255 km) west-southwest of Bermuda. Imelda was moving toward the northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Bermuda.
A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane found that former Tropical Storm Imelda had intensified to a hurricane on Tuesday morning.
The circulation around Hurricane Imelda became more symmetrical on Tuesday morning. Thunderstorms near the center of Imelda’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the hurricane. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Imelda.
Winds to hurricane force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Imelda. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of Imelda’s circulation.
Hurricane Storm Imelda will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Imelda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is over the southeast U.S. The upper level trough will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Imelda’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Hurricane Imelda will intensify during the next 24 hours.
The upper level trough over the southeast U.S. will steer Hurricane Imelda toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Imelda will affect Bermuda on Wednesday night.
Hurricane Imelda will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Bermuda. The strong winds could cause electricity outages. Heavy rain could cause flooding.
Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Humberto was weakening west of Bermuda. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Humberto was located at latitude 31.6°N and longitude 69.4°W which put the center about 275 miles (440 km) west of Bermuda. Humberto was moving toward the north-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.
