Norbert Strengthens to a Cat 4 Hurricane

UPDATE: October 12, 2008 – 06:00UTC  >> Norbert Makes Landfall in Mainland Mexico

UPDATE: October 10, 2008 – 03:00UTC – Norbert weakens to a category 1 hurricane.

Norbert has strengthened to a category 4A hurricane on the FEWW Hurricane Scale (Cat four on the Saffir-Simpson scale), additional strengthening possible.

Hurricane NORBERT – October 8, 2008 – 22:00UTC

Infrared Satellite image frozen. Source: NOAA.

RGB Satellite image frozen. Source: NOAA.

Coastal Watches/Warnings and 5-Day Track Forecast Cone

Image: NWS/NOAA

Hurricane Details:

Norbert becomes an extremely dangerous category four hurricane

• Source: NHC
• Forecaster: Brown
• Date and Time: October 8, 2008 at 21:00UTC
• Current Location: The center of hurricane Norbert was located near latitude 16.6 north, longitude 111.2 west or about 715 km south of the southern tip of Baja California.
• Category and Wind Speed: Maximum sustained winds have increased to 215 km/hr with higher gusts.  Norbert is a Category 4A on FEWW Hurricane Scale (cat. four on the Saffir-Simpson scale). Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next 24 hours, followed by gradual weakening on Friday.
• Direction: Norbert is moving toward the west-northwest at 15 km/hr. A northwestward motion is expected to begin later today or tonight, followed by a turn toward the north on Thursday night or Friday.
• Wind Force Extent: Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 55 km from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 km.
• Estimated minimum central pressure: 948 mb (27.99 inches).
• Additional Notes: The wind radii have increased.

Image Source: NASA/NOAA

Related Links and Forecast Trajectory:

• Hurricane Norbert Now a Cat 2 off Pacific Mexico