Noel threatens the Bahamas

As of 5 am Tuesday (Eastern time), Tropical Storm Noel is located aabout 270 miles south-southeast of Nassau, Bahamas, at 21.3 North, 76.0 West. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 miles per hour. Lowest pressure is 999 millibars. Noel is moving to the west near 12 miles per hour, parallel to the northern Cuban Coast, with a turn in the general direction of the Bahamas (to the northwest and then north) late tonight or early Wednesday morning.A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Bahamas and the Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas.

Rain will continue to spread across the Bahamas as the day progresses, with rainfall amounts in the neighborhood of 5 to 10 inches possible, with some amounts up to 15 inches not out of the question.

Heavy rain continues to impact Hispaniola, where rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches, with locally heavier amounts upwards of 30 inches, possible before the rain ends. This amount of rain will likely produce life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides over the mountainous terrain of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Although Noel may not affect Florida directly, gusty winds, high surf and heavy showers will continue, due to a strong high pressure area and lower pressure from Noel to the south. A tropical storm watch may be put in effect along the southeast Florida Coast later today if Noel continues to track farther to the west and its wind field expands.