ZCZC MIATCPEP3 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM BULLETIN HURRICANE BLAS ADVISORY NUMBER 17 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP032016 800 PM PDT WED JUL 06 2016 ...BLAS HOLDING ITS STRENGTH AS A CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE... SUMMARY OF 800 PM PDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...15.7N 125.4W ABOUT 1125 MI...1810 KM WSW OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...125 MPH...205 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...956 MB...28.23 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 800 PM PDT (0300 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Blas was located near latitude 15.7 North, longitude 125.4 West. Blas is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue through Thursday night. A turn toward the northwest is forecast on Friday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Blas is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 956 mb (28.23 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- None. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 200 AM PDT. $$ Forecaster Cangialosi NNNN