Tropical Storm Noel

Published 28th October, 2:38pm

Issued Sunday, 28 October, 2 pm: The National Hurricane Center in Miami has issued a special advisory upgrading Tropical Depression 16 to a tropical storm. Noel becomes the 14th storm of the Atlantic Season.

Cayman's National Weather Service (NWS) is monitoring TS Noel, which formed in the Caribbean last night (Saturday, 27 October). The NWS is keeping the National Hurricane Committee (NHC) advised.

All residents should monitor the system and listen to local media for any advisories that may be issued.

At 1:15 pm local time, the centre of Tropical Storm Noel was relocated near latitude 16.5 north and longitude 71.8 west or about 150 miles south-southwest of Port Au Prince, Haiti.

Noel is moving toward the north-northwest near 5 mph. A general northwestward motion is expected during the next 24 hours, taking the centre of Noel near or over the southwestern peninsula of Haiti tonight.

Reports from an air force hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased and are now near 50 mp, with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles, mainly to the north from the centre. The minimum central pressure reported was 996 MB.

Next update will be issued as the situation develops.

For further information contact: Pat Ebanks