Powerful Hurricane Dorian is even stronger late Saturday morning as it takes aim on the northwestern Bahamas. Here in South Florida, we’re seeing additional changes in Dorian’s forecast track.
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At 11 am Saturday, Dorian’s maximum sustained winds were 150 miles per hour Dorian was located near 26.0 North, 73.4 West, about 415 miles east of West Palm Beach and 260 miles east-northeast of the northwestern Bahamas. The hurricane is moving west and has slowed to 8 miles per hour.
A hurricane warning is in effect for most of the northwestern Bahamas, and conditions there will deteriorate later on Saturday. All preparations should be rushed to completion. This is likely to be a very bad hurricane event for portions of the northwestern Bahamas when Dorian moves in on Sunday.
Computer models are in agreement in turning Dorian northward far enough east from the coast of Miami-Dade and Broward that the probability of hurricane force winds has dropped significantly with the 11 am advisory. Palm Beach County, because of its geography, is at greater risk and remains in the cone as of 11 am Saturday — the only part of South Florida to do so. The risk of significant impacts remains for the coastal area north of West Palm Beach through the Space Coast.
In South Florida, expect tropical storm force winds, the chance of hurricane force gusts in portions of the east coast metro area, periods of heavy rain, and dangerous swells and flooding along the Atlantic coast, from Sunday night through Monday. We should see slow improvement on Tuesday as Dorian pulls away to the north.
If you are in Palm Beach County and the northern part of Broward, you should put up shutters. If you live elsewhere in the east coast metro area or along the Gulf coast, shutters are optional. Since we will get gusty winds strong enough to damage power lines and trees, power outages are likely late Sunday through Monday, so plan accordingly.
Additional information will be posted after the 5 pm Saturday advisory package from the National Hurricane Center.
