Tag Archives: Charlotte Harbor

Debby Strengthens to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Debby strengthened to a hurricane over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Debby was located at latitude 28.6°N and longitude 84.0°W which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) west-southwest of Cedar Key, Florida.  Debby was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Yankeetown to Indian Pass, Florida.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Yankeetown to Boca Grande, Florida.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Indian Pass to Mexico Beach, Florida. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Ponte Vedre Beach, Florida to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Reconnaissance aircraft found hurricane force winds in the northeastern part of former Tropical Storm Debby on Sunday night.  The aircraft also found that the minimum surface pressure had decreased to 985 mb.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Debby’s circulation several times.  However, drier air from the western side of Hurricane Debby caused breaks in the eyewall each time.  There was only a partial eyewall on the eastern side of Hurricane Debby on Sunday night.  There were only showers and lower clouds on the western side of of the center of Debby.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Debby.  Bands in the western side of Debby consisted of primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Hurricane Debby.  The winds were weaker in the western side of Debby’s circulation.  Hurricane force winds extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Hurricane Debby.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Debby.

Hurricane Debby will move through an environment that will be only marginally favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Debby will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the eastern U.S.  The trough will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Debby’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Debby will also pull more drier air around the western side of its circulation.  The wind shear and dry air are likely to prevent intensification during the next few hours.

Hurricane Debby will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system and the upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will steer Debby toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Debby will make landfall in Apalachee Bay on Monday morning.

Hurricane Debby will bring strong winds and heavy rain to part of north Florida.  Heavy rain could cause flooding in some locations.

Flood Watches were in effect for parts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Hurricane Debby could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the west coast of Florida.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Longboat Key to Indian Pass, Florida.  A Storm Storm Warning is also in effect for the portion of the coast Mouth of the St. Mary’s River, Georgia to South Santee River, South Carolina.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Englewood to Longboat Key.  The Storm Surge Watch includes Charlotte Harbor.

Tropical Storm Debby Strengthens

Tropical Storm Debby strengthened over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Debby was located at latitude 26.3°N and longitude 84.2°W which put the center about 155 miles (255 km) southwest of Tampa, Florida.  Debby was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Suwannee River to Ochlockonee River, Florida.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass, Florida.  A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Suwannee River to Yankeetown, Florida.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from East Cape Sable to Suwannee River, Florida.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the Florida Keys west of Seven Mile Bridge.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the Dry Tortugas.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass, Florida.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge to Channel 5 Bridge,  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for portion of the coast from Indian Pass to Mexico Beach, Florida.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary’s River, Georgia to the South Santee River, South Carolina.

Tropical Storm Debby strengthened over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday morning.  Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Debby’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Debby.  Bands in the western side of Debby consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Debby’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm.

The distribution of winds in Tropical Storm Debby continued to be asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) in the eastern half of Debby’s circulation.  Winds in the western side of Debby were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Debby will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Debby will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the eastern U.S.  The trough will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Debby’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Debby will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Debby is likely to intensify to a hurricane by Sunday night.

Tropical Storm Debby will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Debby toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Debby will approach the coast of north Florida by Monday morning.

Tropical Storm Debby is likely to be a hurricane when it approaches the north coast of Florida.  Debby will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Florida.  Heavy rain could cause flooding in some locations.  Tropical Storm Debby could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the west coast of Florida.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Aripeka to Indian Pass, Florida.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Bonita Beach to Aripeka, Florida.  The Storm Surge Watch includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.  A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary’s River, Georgia to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Tropical Storm Debby Forms North of Cuba

Tropical Storm Debby formed north of Cuba on Saturday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Debby was located at latitude 23.4°N and longitude 83.2°W which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) west-southwest of Key West, Florida. Debby was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Suwannee River to Ochlockonee River, Florida.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass, Florida.  A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Suwannee River to Yankeetown, Florida.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from East Cape Sable to Suwannee River, Florida.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the Florida Keys west of Seven Mile Bridge.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the Dry Tortugas.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge to Channel 5 Bridge,  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for portion of the coast from Indian Pass to Mexico Beach, Florida.

Former Tropical Depression Four strengthened on Saturday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Debby.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Debby after it moved north of Cuba.  More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Debby.  Storm’s near the center of Debby’s circulation generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Debby was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) in the eastern half of Debby’s circulation.  Winds in the western side of Debby were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Debby Four will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Debby will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over the southeastern U.S.  The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Debby’s circulation.  The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Debby will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Debby is likely to intensify slowly as it moves away from Cuba.  Tropical Storm Debby is likely to intensify more rapidly when it moves over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.  Debby could strengthen to a hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Debby will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Debby toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Debby will approach the coast of north Florida on Monday.

Tropical Storm Debby will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Florida.  Heavy rain could cause flooding in some locations.  Tropical Storm Debby could also cause a storm surge of up to 8 feet (2.3 meters) along the west coast of Florida.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Aripeka to Indian Pass, Florida.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Bonita Beach to Aripeka, Florida.  The Storm Surge Watch includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. 

Tropical Depression Four Forms South of Cuba

Tropical Depression Four formed south of Cuba on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Four was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 79.7°W which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) south of Caibarien, Cuba and about 260 miles (415 km) south-southeast of Key West, Florida.  Tropical Depression Four was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).   The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1010 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from East Cape Sable to Boca Grande, Florida.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the Dry Tortugas.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the Florida Keys from south of Card Sound Bridge.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from East Cape Sable to Card Sound Bridge, Florida.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Boca Grande to the mouth of the Suwannee River, Florida.

A distinct low level center of circulation developed over the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba in a tropical wave previously designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Four, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Four.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Depression Four on Friday night.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Depression Four.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Four will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Tropical Depression Four will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over the southeastern U.S.  The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression.  The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Depression Four is likely to intensify slowly as long as the center of the depression is near Cuba. The tropical depression is likely to intensify more rapidly when it reaches the Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical Depression Four will moving around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Tropical Depression Four toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Four will move across western Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico.  The tropical depression is likely to move toward the north during the weekend when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.

Tropical Depression Four is likely to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Florida during the weekend.  Heavy rain could cause widespread flooding.  Tropical Depression Four could also cause a storm surge along the west coast of Florida.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Bonita Beach to the Mouth of the Suwannee River, Florida.  The Storm Surge Watch includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.