ZCZC MIATCPAT5 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM BULLETIN Tropical Storm Maria Intermediate Advisory Number 45A NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL152017 800 AM EDT Wed Sep 27 2017 ...MARIA CRAWLING NORTHWARD OFF THE NORTH CAROLINA OUTER BANKS... SUMMARY OF 800 AM EDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...35.4N 72.8W ABOUT 155 MI...245 KM E OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...110 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 5 DEGREES AT 5 MPH...7 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...978 MB...28.88 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for... * Ocracoke Inlet to Cape Hatteras A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Bogue Inlet to the North Carolina/Virginia border * Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * Cape Lookout to west of Ocracoke Inlet * North of Cape Hatteras to Duck A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 800 AM EDT (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located near latitude 35.4 North, longitude 72.8 West. Maria is moving toward the north near 5 mph (7 km/h). A turn toward the north-northeast is expected later today, followed by an acceleration toward the east-northeast on Thursday. On the forecast track, Maria's center will begin to move slowly away from the coast of North Carolina later today and tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts. Some gradual weakening is forecast during the next couple of days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles (370 km) from the center. An unoffical weather observing site near Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, recently reported a sustained wind of 43 mph (69 km/h) with a gust to 49 mph (80 km/h). The estimated minimum central pressure is 978 mb (28.88 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area through today. STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water is expected to reach the following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide... Cape Lookout to Duck including the sound side of the Outer Banks...2 to 4 ft Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. RAINFALL: Maria is expected to produce additional rain accumulations of less than 1 inch over the Outer Banks of North Carolina and far southeast Virginia through Wednesday night. SURF: Large swells generated by Maria are affecting much of the east coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office for more information. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 AM EDT. $$ Forecaster Brown NNNN