ZCZC MIATCPEP3 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM BULLETIN HURRICANE BLAS ADVISORY NUMBER 18 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP032016 200 AM PDT THU JUL 07 2016 ...BLAS STILL A MAJOR HURRICANE BUT EXPECTED TO WEAKEN... SUMMARY OF 200 AM PDT...0900 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...15.9N 126.4W ABOUT 1175 MI...1895 KM WSW OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...125 MPH...205 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 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 200 AM PDT (0900 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Blas was located near latitude 15.9 North, longitude 126.4 West. Blas is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph (17 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue through today. A turn toward the northwest is forecast on Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Blas is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Blas is expected to weaken to a tropical storm by Friday night. 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 800 AM PDT. $$ Forecaster Brennan NNNN