THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 11, 1995 TAG: 9508110263
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 27 lines
Although still far from land, forecasters are keeping a wary eye on Felix, which reached hurricane strength late Thursday and is forecast to intensify.
At 11 p.m. Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said Felix was 575 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands with sustained winds of 75 mph and gusts up to 90 mph. It was heading west-northwest at a rate of nearly 20 mph.
Experts have forecast an especially busy season in the Atlantic this year with nine hurricanes expected, three of which should be major. Felix is in a good position to strengthen into one of the season's stronger storms.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gabrielle was hovering just off the coast of Mexico with winds of 50 mph that could strengthen before the storm comes ashore today in northeastern Mexico. MEMO: For updates, call INFOLINE at 640-5555 and enter category 1237.
by CNB