Statement as of 5:00 am AST on September 04, 2008

...Ike even stronger as it continues west-northwestward...
At 500 am AST...0900z...the center of Hurricane Ike was located near
latitude 22.7 north...longitude 55.8 west or about 550 miles...885
km...northeast of the Leeward Islands.

Ike is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph...28 km/hr...and
a gradual turn toward the west and west-southwest is expected over
the next 48 hours.  On this track the hurricane will continue to
move over the open waters of the west-central Atlantic during the
next couple of days.  It is too early to determine what land areas
might eventually be affected by Ike.
Satellite images indicate that Ike has intensified some more.
Maximum sustained winds are estimated to be near 145 mph...230
km/hr...with higher gusts.  This is an extremely dangerous category
four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale.  It is
expected that Ike will maintain category four or category three
intensity over the next 48 hours.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles...55 km...from
the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140
miles...220 km.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 935 mb...27.61 inches.
Repeating the 500 am AST position...22.7 N...55.8 W.  Movement
toward...west-northwest near 17 mph.  Maximum sustained winds...145
mph.  Minimum central pressure...935 mb.

The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at
1100 am AST.

$$
Forecaster Pasch