000 WTNT32 KNHC 041431 TCPAT2 BULLETIN Hurricane Kirk Advisory Number 21 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122024 1100 AM AST Fri Oct 04 2024 ...KIRK WEAKENS SLIGHTLY WHILE MOVING NORTHWESTWARD... ...LARGE SWELLS FROM KIRK COULD REACH THE U.S. EAST COAST BY SUNDAY... SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...23.0N 48.9W ABOUT 975 MI...1570 KM ENE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS ABOUT 1655 MI...2665 KM WSW OF THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...140 MPH...220 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 315 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...939 MB...27.73 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Kirk was located near latitude 23.0 North, longitude 48.9 West. Kirk is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue today. A turn toward the north and north-northeast at a faster forward speed is anticipated over the weekend. Maximum sustained winds are near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Kirk is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Small intensity fluctuations are possible today and tonight. Weakening is forecast to begin on Saturday and continue through early next week. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles (315 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 939 mb (27.73 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- SURF: Swells generated by Kirk are spreading westward and are expected to reach the Leeward Islands later today, Bermuda and the Greater Antilles on Saturday, the east coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada, and the Bahamas on Sunday, and the Azores on Monday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 500 PM AST. $$ Forecaster Beven