1. Tropical storm conditions are expected on Bermuda beginning later today and continuing intermittently through late Thursday, when Epsilon is forecast to make its closest approach east of theisland. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Bermuda.

2. Dangerous surf and rip currents are likely occurring along thecoasts of Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and theLeeward Islands. These conditions are expected to spread toportions of the east coast of the United States and Atlantic Canadaduring the next couple of days.

1. Tropical storm conditions are expected on Bermuda beginninglater today and continuing intermittently through late Thursday,when Epsilon is forecast to make its closest approach east of theisland. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Bermuda.

2. Dangerous surf and rip currents are likely occurring along thecoasts of Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and theLeeward Islands. These conditions are expected to spread toportions of the east coast of the United States and Atlantic Canadaduring the next couple of days.

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Bermuda.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
- Bermuda

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected on Bermuda beginning later today and continuing intermittently through late Thursday.

SURF: Large swells generated by Epsilon are affecting Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and the Leeward Islands, and are expected to reach portions of the east coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause lifethreatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Epsilon was located near latitude 29.1 North, longitude 59.1 West. Epsilon is moving toward the westnorthwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). A westnorthwestward motion at a slower forward speed is expected today. A turn toward the northwest is expected tonight, followed by a turn toward the north by Thursday night. On the forecast track, the center of Epsilon is forecast to make its closest approach to Bermuda Thursday afternoon or evening.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 90 mph (150 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is possible today, followed by little change in strength into the weekend.

Hurricaneforce winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropicalstormforce winds extend outward up to 435 miles (705 km) mainly to the north of the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 972 mb (28.71 inches).

Epsilon is maintaining a healthy satellite appearance this morning after its rapid intensification last night. A 10-to-15 n mi-wide eye is evident in visible satellite imagery this morning, and 0815Z GMI 89 GHz microwave imagery shows a closed eyewall with deep convection surrounding the well-defined center. Objective satellite estimates from UW-CIMSS and subjective Dvorak classifications from SAB and TAFB support raising the initial intensity to 80 kt with this advisory. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft should be in the area this afternoon for a better estimate.Epsilon took a brief westward jog this morning, and its initial motion is now estimated at 285/10 kt. A mid-level ridge to the north-northeast of the cyclone should continue steering Epsilon toward the west-northwest today with a slightly slower forward speed. Then, another ridge is forecast to build to the east of the hurricane, which should turn the cyclone toward the northwest on Thursday and northward on Friday. Epsilon is forecast to pass east of Bermuda and make its closest approach to the island Thursday afternoon or evening. As the hurricane gains latitude and becomes embedded within the mid-latitude westerlies, the cyclone will likely accelerate northeastward across the central Atlantic this weekend. Only minor adjustments were made to the NHC track forecast, mainly beyond 48 h when more spread is noted in the track guidance.Weak vertical wind shear and waters with marginal oceanic heat content could allow for some additional modest strengthening today, and the NHC intensity forecast now brings Epsilon to a 85-kt hurricane in 12 h. Then, Epsilon's intensity is likely to plateau as environmental conditions gradually become less conducive for additional development. Beyond 36-48 h, increasing southerly deep-layer shear and cooler waters are forecast to induce a slow weakening trend, although the tropical-storm-force wind field should expand as Epsilon moves into the mid-latitudes and begins its extratropical transition. The forecast calls for Epsilon to be extratropical by 120 h, but it is expected to remain a powerful cyclone as it moves across the northern Atlantic at the end of the forecast period.

An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that Hurricane Epsilon is significantly stronger than was previously analyzed. A blend of the flight-level and surface wind data supports an intensity of 95 kt. The intensity forecast has been adjusted upward during the first 12-24 h to account for this new data. It is possible that Epsilon could strengthen a little more and become a major hurricane later today before conditions become less conducive tomorrow. No changes were made to the track forecast at this time.