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August 19, 2001 — Reports from an Air Force plane indicate that Chantal is near hurricane strength but is not well organized. At 11 a.m. EDT, the poorly-defined center of Tropical Storm Chantal was estimated to be near latitude 15.5 north, longitude 80.3 west or about 270 miles south-southeast of Grand Cayman, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Chantal taken August 17, 2001 at 1:12 p.m. EDT. Click here to see latest satellite image.)

Chantal is moving toward the west near 15 mph, and a west to west-northwest motion at about the same speed is expected during the next 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph with higher gusts. Some increase in strength is possible during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles mainly to the northeast of the center.

The Air Force plane reported a minimum central pressure of 1004 Mb, 29.65 inches. Rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches with locally heavier amounts in mountainous areas are possible along the path of Chantal.

The government of Belize has issued a hurricane watch from Belize City northward, and the government of Mexico has issued a hurricane watch from Chetumal to Cancun. The government of Jamaica has discontinued the tropical storm warning for the country. A hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Cayman Islands. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Belize south of Belize City.

For storm information for specific areas of the USA, please monitor products issued by National Weather Service local forecast offices.

Storm Advisories updated 5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and 11 p.m. EDT; every three hours if a Watch/Warning is in effect.

NOAA satellite images updated 15 minutes past the hour; Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico and close-ups also updated at 45 past the hour.

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Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

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Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404