Friday, Sept 24, 8AM: The center of Hurricane Sam was located near latitude 11.5 North, longitude 42.2 West. Sam is moving toward the west near 15 mph and this motion is expected to continue through tonight. A decrease in forward speed and a motion toward the west-northwest are expected over the weekend. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is forecast to continue, and Sam is likely to become a major hurricane tonight or early Saturday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 993 mb.
Hurricane Wind Scale
Category 1 (74-95 mph): Very dangerous winds will produce some damage
Category 2 (96-110 mph): Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage
Category 3 (111-129 mph): Devastating damage will occur
Category 4 (130-156 mph): Catastrophic damage will occur
Category 5 (157+ mph): Catastrophic damage will occur
