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August 22, 2001 — At 2 p.m. EDT, reports from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that the strong tropical wave north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico has developed into Tropical Storm Dean. The center of Tropical Storm Dean was located near latitude 19.2 north, longitude 65.9 west or about 55 miles north of San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of what was a tropical wave on August 22, 2001 at 10:33 a.m. EDT. It's now Tropical Storm Dean. Click here to see latest satellite image.)

Dean is moving toward the west-northwest near 25 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue with some decrease in forward speed during the next 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. The minimum central pressure reported by the hurricane hunter is 1010 mb, 29.83 inches.

Rainbands trailing Dean will continue to bring locally heavy rains and wind gusts to tropical storm force in squalls over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico through Wednesday night.

The government of the Bahamas has issued a tropical storm warning for the southeastern Bahamas, including Acklins Island, Crooked Island, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged islands, as well as for the Turks and Caicos Islands. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the central Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador.

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.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

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

NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views

Colorized Satellite Images

Current Satellite Imagery

NOAA 3-D Satellite Images

NOAA's Hurricanes Page

NOAA's Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA

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