Sorry to start another hurricane thread but I thought those of us in central and western Florida might like the following information.
Issued at: 11:25 AM EDT 8/29/06, expires at: 5:30 PM EDT 8/29/06
New information. The tropical storm watch from bonita beach to englewood has been upgraded to a tropical storm warning. A tropical storm watch has been posted from englewood to tarpon springs.
Outer rainbands are moving across the extreme southern Florida peninsula and the Florida keys.
At 11 am edt, the center of tropical storm ernesto was located near latitude 23.3 north, longitude 79.5 west, or about 275 miles southeast of fort myers, and 370 miles southeast of tampa bay. Ernesto is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph, and this general motion is expected today and tonight. On this track, the center will approach the Florida keys and extreme south Florida tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected before the center reaches florida.
Areas affected. This statement is for residents and visitors to southwest and west central Florida.
Watches/warnings. A tropical storm warning is in effect for coastal areas of lee and charlotte counties.
An inland tropical storm warning is in effect for non coastal and non tidal areas of charlotte, lee and desoto counties, and for all of polk, hardee and highlands counties.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for coastal areas of sarasota, manatee, hillsborough, and pinellas county.
An inland tropical storm watch is in effect for non coastal and non tidal areas of sarasota, manatee, and hillsborough counties.
These watches could be upgraded to warnings late this afternoon. Any westward shift in the track would require tropical storm warnings for coastal areas of west central Florida.
Winds. Easterly winds will remain below 10 mph today, however afternoon thunderstorms not directly associated with ernesto may produce wind gusts to 30 mph. Winds will increase to 10 to 15 mph by midnight across southwest Florida, and reach 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in rain bands or thunderstorms in charlotte and lee counties by daybreak Wednesday. Winds will shift to north and continue at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph in stronger squalls by late morning before gradually diminishing during the afternoon.
Similar winds will move into desoto, polk, and highlands counties before noon Wednesday and continue into mid or late afternoon before diminishing. Winds will shift to west or southwest and drop below 20 mph Wednesday night.
The best chance for sustained tropical storm force winds will be in much of lee county, then along and east of highway 17 in charlotte and desoto counties, most of highlands county, and in polk county mainly east of highway 27.
Storm surge flood and storm tide. The current forecast track suggests winds will be mainly offshore until the storm moves north of the area. After the storm passes winds will shift to the west or southwest, which could increase tides 1 to 2 feet above normal Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Inland flooding. Occasional rain squalls will arrive after midnight across southwest florida and quickly spread northward up the central Florida peninsula during the day Wednesday. Conditions will improve Wednesday night into early Thursday.
Total rainfall through Wednesday evening is expected to be between 2 and 5 inches. Much will depend on the actual track of ernesto. However, heavy bursts of rain may cause minor flooding of streets and low lying areas, especially in urban areas.
Tornadoes. A tornado is possible in the outer rain bands of tropical storm ernesto late tonight and early Wednesday.
Beach erosion. Onshore winds will develop Wednesday afternoon with high surf and some minor beach erosion possible. Rip currents will also become a threat Wednesday night and early Thursday.
Issued at: 11:25 AM EDT 8/29/06, expires at: 5:30 PM EDT 8/29/06
New information. The tropical storm watch from bonita beach to englewood has been upgraded to a tropical storm warning. A tropical storm watch has been posted from englewood to tarpon springs.
Outer rainbands are moving across the extreme southern Florida peninsula and the Florida keys.
At 11 am edt, the center of tropical storm ernesto was located near latitude 23.3 north, longitude 79.5 west, or about 275 miles southeast of fort myers, and 370 miles southeast of tampa bay. Ernesto is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph, and this general motion is expected today and tonight. On this track, the center will approach the Florida keys and extreme south Florida tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected before the center reaches florida.
Areas affected. This statement is for residents and visitors to southwest and west central Florida.
Watches/warnings. A tropical storm warning is in effect for coastal areas of lee and charlotte counties.
An inland tropical storm warning is in effect for non coastal and non tidal areas of charlotte, lee and desoto counties, and for all of polk, hardee and highlands counties.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for coastal areas of sarasota, manatee, hillsborough, and pinellas county.
An inland tropical storm watch is in effect for non coastal and non tidal areas of sarasota, manatee, and hillsborough counties.
These watches could be upgraded to warnings late this afternoon. Any westward shift in the track would require tropical storm warnings for coastal areas of west central Florida.
Winds. Easterly winds will remain below 10 mph today, however afternoon thunderstorms not directly associated with ernesto may produce wind gusts to 30 mph. Winds will increase to 10 to 15 mph by midnight across southwest Florida, and reach 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in rain bands or thunderstorms in charlotte and lee counties by daybreak Wednesday. Winds will shift to north and continue at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph in stronger squalls by late morning before gradually diminishing during the afternoon.
Similar winds will move into desoto, polk, and highlands counties before noon Wednesday and continue into mid or late afternoon before diminishing. Winds will shift to west or southwest and drop below 20 mph Wednesday night.
The best chance for sustained tropical storm force winds will be in much of lee county, then along and east of highway 17 in charlotte and desoto counties, most of highlands county, and in polk county mainly east of highway 27.
Storm surge flood and storm tide. The current forecast track suggests winds will be mainly offshore until the storm moves north of the area. After the storm passes winds will shift to the west or southwest, which could increase tides 1 to 2 feet above normal Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Inland flooding. Occasional rain squalls will arrive after midnight across southwest florida and quickly spread northward up the central Florida peninsula during the day Wednesday. Conditions will improve Wednesday night into early Thursday.
Total rainfall through Wednesday evening is expected to be between 2 and 5 inches. Much will depend on the actual track of ernesto. However, heavy bursts of rain may cause minor flooding of streets and low lying areas, especially in urban areas.
Tornadoes. A tornado is possible in the outer rain bands of tropical storm ernesto late tonight and early Wednesday.
Beach erosion. Onshore winds will develop Wednesday afternoon with high surf and some minor beach erosion possible. Rip currents will also become a threat Wednesday night and early Thursday.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that this thing doesn't get much stronger.
