Bulletin ropical storm Noel advisory number 8 National National center Miami 11:00 am Monday Oct 29 2007

At 11:00 am edt the government of the Bahamas has upgraded the tropical storm watch for the central Bahamas to a tropical storm warning. Tropical storm warnings are now in effect for the central and southeastern Bahamas, including the Turks and Caicos Islands. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.

At 11:00 am edt the government of Cuba has discontinued the national watch. The tropical storm warning for portions of southeastern Cuba has been discontinued in the provinces of Granma and Santiago. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the provinces of Guantanamo and Holguin.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the entire coast of Haiti.

At 1100 am edt the tropical storm watch for Jamaica has been discontinued.

A tropical storm watch may be required for portions of the northwestern Bahamas later today.

At 11:00 am edt the center of tropical storm Noel was estimated near latitude 19.9 north, longitude 73.0 west or about 80 miles-130 km east-southeast of the eastern tip of Cuba and about 300 miles-500 km southeast of the central Bahamas. An air force reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate Noel this afternoon to more precisely locate the circulation center.

Noel is moving toward the north-northwest near 12 mph-19 km/hr and this general motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. On this track Noel will be moving over the southeastern Bahamas later today and tonight.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph-75 km/hr with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles-220 km from the center.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb-29.62 inches. Above normal tides are likely within the warning areas.

Noel is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 10 to 20 inches over Hispaniola with possible isolated maximum totals of 30 inches. Total accumulations of 8 to 12 inches with possible maximum amounts of 20 inches are possible over southeastern Cuba.

Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with maximum totals of 15 inches are possible across the central and southeastern Bahamas.

Additional rainfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are possible over Puerto Rico through tuesday morning. These rains particularly in Hispaniola are expected to cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National National Center at 2:00 pm edt followed by the next complete advisory at 5:00 pm edt.

Source: National Hurricane Center, Forecaster knabb/mainelli