000 WTNT33 KNHC 262134 TCPAT3  BULLETIN Hurricane Sam Advisory Number  17 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL182021 500 PM AST Sun Sep 26 2021  ...SMALL BUT FEROCIOUS SAM STRENGTHENS SOME MORE... ...EXPECTED TO REMAIN A MAJOR HURRICANE FOR SEVERAL DAYS...   SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...14.2N 50.5W ABOUT 880 MI...1415 KM ESE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...150 MPH...240 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 305 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...938 MB...27.70 INCHES   WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.   DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Sam was located near latitude 14.2 North, longitude 50.5 West. Sam is moving toward the northwest near 7 mph (11 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue for the next few days, along with a gradual increase in  forward speed commencing by midweek.   Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 150 mph (240 km/h)  with higher gusts.  Sam is a category 4 hurricane on the  Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Some fluctuations in intensity  are expected during the next couple of days.  Thereafter, some slow  weakening is forecast.  Sam is a small tropical cyclone. Hurricane-force winds extend  outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and  tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km).  The estimated minimum central pressure is 938 mb (27.70 inches).   HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- SURF:  Swells generated by Sam are forecast to reach the Lesser Antilles early this week. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.   NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST.  $$ Forecaster Latto