Sept. 10, 2003 – The forecast for Hurricane Isabel is improving and forecasters now think the storm will stay north of the Virgin Islands. Meteorologist Andy Roche at the National Weather Service in San Juan said the hurricane is now expected to pass about 280 miles north of the Virgin Islands on Saturday into Sunday.
"You could see a few wind gusts of up to 50 mph," Roche said.
Hurricane force winds extend outward 45 miles, with tropical storm force winds reaching 185 miles.
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Hurricane Isabel was centered at 21.3 degrees north latitude and 50.9 degrees west longitude. Still a Category 4 hurricane, Isabel is packing winds of 135 mph with gusts up to 160 mph. It is moving west at 11 mph, but the forecast calls for a turn toward the northwest and away from the Virgin Islands. The pressure stands at 948 millibars or 27.98 inches.
Forecasters expect swells on north and east facing coasts for about three days starting Saturday.
The territory could also see some rain.
Forecasters have been saying for days that a front northeast of the storm could push it towards the Virgin Islands. Roche said that the National Hurricane Center no longer thinks that will happen.
However, as always forecasters urge residents to keep their eye on the forecast in case the hurricane prediction changes.
Tropical Depression 14 will pose no threat to the territory. It is now centered at 16.3 degrees north latitude and 25.3 degrees west longitude. Winds are 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph. It is moving north at 9 mph.
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