ZCZC MIATCPEP3 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM BULLETIN HURRICANE BLAS ADVISORY NUMBER 21 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP032016 800 PM PDT THU JUL 07 2016 ...BLAS WEAKENS TO A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE... SUMMARY OF 800 PM PDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...16.9N 128.6W ABOUT 1280 MI...2060 KM WSW OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...110 MPH...175 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 295 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...968 MB...28.59 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 center of Hurricane Blas was located near latitude 16.9 North, longitude 128.6 West. Blas is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue through tonight. A turn toward the northwest is forecast on Friday. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts. Blas is a category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Further weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Blas is expected to weaken to a tropical storm Friday night. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 968 mb (28.59 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- None. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 200 AM PDT. $$ Forecaster Roberts NNNN