WTNT65 KNHC 182346

TCUAT5



Hurricane Maria Tropical Cyclone Update

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL152017

745 PM AST Mon Sep 18 2017



...HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT FIND MARIA AS CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE ON

THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE...



Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft data indicate Hurricane

Maria has intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5

hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale with maximum

winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) with higher gusts.  A special advisory

will be issued at 800 PM AST (0000 UTC) in lieu of the scheduled

intermediate advisory for Maria.





SUMMARY OF 745 PM AST...2345 UTC...INFORMATION

---------------------------------------------------

LOCATION...15.3N 61.1W

ABOUT 15 MI...25 KM ESE OF DOMINICA

ABOUT 40 MI...70 KM N OF MARTINIQUE

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...160 MPH...260 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...929 MB...27.43 INCHES



$$

Forecaster Brown/Blake