SUMMARY OF 700 PM CDT INFORMATION
LOCATION…23.3N 94.6W
ABOUT 225 MI…360 KM ENE OF TAMPICO MEXICO
ABOUT 525 MI…845 KM SW OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…40 MPH…65 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NE OR 40 DEGREES AT 9 MPH…15 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1005 MB…29.68 INCHES
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Mississippi/Alabama border to Aucilla River Florida
* Grand Isle Louisiana to the Mouth of the Pearl River
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* East of Aucilla River to Yankeetown Florida
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* Indian Pass Florida to Clearwater Beach Florida
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
At 700 PM CDT (0000 UTC), the disturbance was centered near latitude 23.3 North, longitude 94.6 West. The system is moving toward the northeast near 9 mph (15 km/h). A northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected on Friday and Saturday. On the forecast track, the system will approach the northern Gulf Coast Friday and Friday night and then move over portions of the southeastern United States on Saturday.
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds remain near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. The disturbance is expected to develop into a tropical or subtropical storm later tonight or on Friday, with slow strengthening then expected through Friday night.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…high…90 percent
* Formation chance through 5 days…high…90 percent
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) mainly to the southwest of the center.The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…
Indian Pass FL to Chassahowitzka FL…3 to 5 ft
Chassahowitzka to Clearwater Beach FL…2 to 4 ft
Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the coast within the warning area by Friday afternoon, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Gale-force winds are possible along portions of the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States by Saturday.
RAINFALL: The disturbance is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches this weekend from the central Gulf Coast and northern and central Florida to the eastern Carolinas, with isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches.
Central Alabama Weather 