The Tuesday morning report shows Hurricane Gert has developed an eye and strength estimates have wind speeds reaching 90 knots. On a more positive note, the official forecast is shifted slightly to the north of previous forecasts.
The 5 a.m. location of Gert is reported at 16.7 degrees north, 43.9 degrees west and moving at 13 knots in a heading of 285 degrees on the compass.
The National Hurricane Center notes that these forecasts try to take into account the effects of Hurricane Floyd, which is subject to a good measure of uncertainty. Gert could still be a threat to the Lesser Antilles if the storm moves more to the west than currently forecast.
Local coordinates are 18.3 degrees north and 65.0 degrees west for St. Thomas, and 17.7 degrees north and 64.8 degrees west for St. Croix. A degree equals 60 nautical miles, or a little more than 69 land miles.
Editor's Note: For the latest updates on Hurricanes Floyd and Gert, click on the rainbow symbol in the upper left corner of the Source page.
