BULLETIN Hurricane Sam Advisory Number 10 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL182021 1100 PM AST Fri Sep 24 2021 ...SAM NOW A CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE... ...FORECAST TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE ON SATURDAY... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...12.4N 45.9W ABOUT 1215 MI...1950 KM ESE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100 MPH...155 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...982 MB...29.00 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Sam was located near latitude 12.4 North, longitude 45.9 West. Sam is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h). A motion toward the west or west-northwest with a decrease in forward speed is expected over the weekend. A turn toward the northwest is forecast on Monday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Sam is expected to become a major hurricane on Saturday. Sam is a small hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 982 mb (29.00 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- None.