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Tropical Storm Danny Makes Landfall in South Carolina

Tropical Storm Danny made landfall on the coast of South Carolina on Monday evening. Danny weakened to a tropical depression after the center moved over land. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Danny was located at latitude 32.6°N and longitude 81.5°W which put it about 50 miles (80 km) west-northwest of Beaufort, South Carolina. Danny was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1013 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Danny made landfall near Hilton Head, South Carolina at approximately 7:30 p.m. EDT on Monday. Danny produced gusty winds along the coast of South Carolina. Bands on the western side of Tropical Storm Danny dropped locally heavy rain over the area around Savannah, Georgia. Showers and thunderstorms then moved over central Georgia.

Tropical Depression Danny will move west-northwest during the next 12 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Danny will move over eastern and central Georgia on Tuesday. Tropical Depression Danny will continue to weaken as it moves farther inland. Danny will drop locally heavy rain over parts of Georgia on Tuesday.

Tropical Depression Four Strengthens to Tropical Storm Danny

Former Tropical Depression Four strengthened to Tropical Storm Danny near the coast of South Carolina on Monday afternoon. At 3:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Danny was located at latitude 32.2°N and longitude 79.7°W which put it about 45 miles (75 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Danny was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1014 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina. The Tropical Storm Warning included Charleston.

Based on data from weather radar and a reconnaissance plane, the National Hurricane Center determined that former Tropical Depression Four had strengthened to Tropical Storm Danny on Monday afternoon. Thunderstorms formed near the center of Danny, when the center moved over the warmer water in the Gulf Stream. Downdrafts in the thunderstorms transported stronger winds to the surface and former Tropical Depression Four intensified into Tropical Storm Danny. The thunderstorms were occurring in the western half of Danny. Bands in the eastern half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds

Tropical Storm Danny will move through an environment that is slightly favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Danny will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. An upper level low centered over Northwest Florida will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear that will inhibit intensification. However, the shear does not appear to be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Danny could get a little stronger during the next few hours.

Tropical Storm Danny will move south of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer Danny toward the west-northwest. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Danny could make landfall near Edisto Beach, South Carolina on Monday night. Danny will produce gusty winds along the coast of South Carolina. It could also drop locally heavy rain over parts of southern South Carolina and extreme eastern Georgia.

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Tropical Depression Four Forms, Tropical Storm Warning for South Carolina

Tropical Depression Four formed on Monday morning and the National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Warning for a portion of the coast of South Carolina. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Four was located at latitude 31.9°N and longitude 78.3°W which put it about 110 miles (175 km) east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Tropical Depression Four was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1013 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina. The Tropical Storm Warning included Charleston.

The National Hurricane Center designated a low pressure system off the coast of South Carolina as Tropical Depression Four on Monday morning. Bands of showers and lower clouds were revolving around the center of Tropical Depression Four. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the far western side of the circulation around the depression. An upper low was centered over northern Florida on Monday morning. The upper low was producing easterly winds that were blowing across the top of the tropical depression. The easterly winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was blowing the tops off clouds in many of the bands closer to the center of the depression

Tropical Depression Four will move through an environment that is only slightly favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. The upper level low will continue to cause vertical wind shear that will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Depression Four. If the wind shear decreases, then there is a chance Tropical Depression Four could strengthen to a tropical storm later on Monday.

Tropical Depression Four will move south of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer the depression toward the west-northwest. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Depression Four could make landfall near Edisto Beach, South Carolina on Monday night. The depression will produce gusty winds along the coast of South Carolina. It could also drop locally heavy rain over parts of southern South Carolina and extreme eastern Georgia.

Low Pressure System Approaches Southeast U.S.

A surface low pressure system that developed under the eastern side of an upper level low was approaching the southeastern U.S. on Monday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of the low pressure system which was designated as Invest 96L was located at latitude 31.6°N and longitude 77.6°W which put it about 140 miles (220 km) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. The low pressure system was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1013 mb.

A surface low pressure system formed over the Atlantic Ocean near the southeastern U.S. under the eastern side of an upper level low on Sunday. The surface low pressure system was clearly evident in visible satellite imagery on Monday morning. Bands of showers and lower clouds were revolving around the center of the surface low. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the far western side of the circulation around the surface low. The upper low was centered over northern Florida on Monday morning. It was producing easterly winds that were blowing across the top of the surface low. The easterly winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was blowing the tops off clouds in many of the bands closer to the center of the surface low.

The surface low will move south of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer the surface low toward the west-northwest. On its anticipated track the center of the surface low will reach the coast near the border between Georgia and South Carolina on Monday evening. The low pressure system could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the areas around Savannah, Georgia and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

If thunderstorms develop near the center of the surface low, the National Hurricane Center could designate the system as a tropical depression or a tropical storm. If the low pressure system strengthens, then a Tropical Storm Watch or Tropical Storm Warning could be issued for a portion of the coast. A reconnaissance plane is tentatively scheduled to investigate the low pressure system on Monday afternoon, if necessary.

Tropical Depression Claudette Prompts Warning for North Carolina

Even though the center of circulation was well inland over the southeastern U.S. on Sunday morning, Tropical Depression Claudette prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning for the coast of North Carolina. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Claudette was located at latitude 33.7°N and longitude 84.8°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) west of Atlanta, Georgia. Claudette was moving toward the east-northeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 1007 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the coast of North Carolina from Little River Inlet to Duck including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from South Santee River, South Carolina to Little River Inlet, North Carolina.

Although the center of Tropical Depression Claudette had been over land for a day, the circulation was still well organized. A well defined center of lower pressure was evident at the surface. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were visible on satellite and radar images. The strongest winds were occurring in the bands that were over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The winds were weaker over land. Rain was falling over the region from northern Florida to North Carolina. The heaviest rain was falling in a band over northern Florida and a Tornado Watch was in effect for part of that region.

Tropical Depression Claudette will move into an environment more favorable for intensification on Sunday. The center of Claudette will still be over land, but it will move east of the Appalachian Mountains. It will move between an upper level trough over the North Central U.S. and an upper level ridge southeast of the U.S. The trough and the ridge will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical depression. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but they will also generate upper level divergence to the northeast of Tropical Depression Claudette. The upper level divergence could allow the surface pressure to decrease while Claudette is still over land. A decrease in pressure could generate enough additional force to increase the wind speeds along the coast of North Carolina and South Carolina, when the center Tropical Depression Claudette gets closer to the coast.

Tropical Depression Claudette will move north of a surface high pressure system centered southeast of the U.S. on Sunday. The high will steer Claudette toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Depression Claudette will move across Georgia and South Carolina on Sunday. Claudette will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of the southeastern U.S. Flash Flood Watches were in effect for northern Florida, northern Georgia, South Carolina, and eastern North Carolina. There could also be enough wind shear to generate tornadoes in bands on the eastern side of Tropical Depression Claudette.

Tropical Storm Claudette Brings Rain to Southeast U.S.

Tropical Storm Claudette brought wind and rain to the southeastern U.S. on Saturday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Claudette was located at latitude 30.4°N and longitude 90.1°W which put it about 30 miles (50 km) north of New Orleans, Louisiana. Tropical Storm Claudette was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Morgan City, Louisiana to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line, Florida including New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. The Tropical Storm Warning included Biloxi, Mississippi, Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida.

A well defined low level center of circulation formed in the system formerly called Potential Tropical Cyclone Three on Saturday morning and the National Hurricane Center classified the system as Tropical Storm Claudette. The strongest winds and heaviest rain were falling in bands north and east of the center of Claudette. Drier air was wrapping around the western and southern parts of Tropical Storm Claudette, Bands in those parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The stronger winds were occurring in the portion of the circulation that was still over the Gulf of Mexico. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) on the eastern side of Claudette. Winds on the western side of Claudette were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Claudette will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system southeast of the U.S. The high pressure system will steer it toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Claudette will move across southeastern Mississippi on Saturday and it could reach Alabama by Saturday night. Claudette will move across Georgia on Sunday and it could be over South Carolina by Sunday evening. Tropical Storm Claudette will drop locally heavy rain over parts of the southeastern U.S. Heavy rain could cause flash floods. Flash Flood Watches were in effect for parts of southeastern Mississippi, Alabama, northwestern Florida, and western Georgia. There may also be enough low level wind shear to produce tornadoes in the rainbands in the eastern side of the circulation.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Three Reaches Tropical Storm Force

Potential Tropical Cyclone Three reached tropical storm force south of Louisiana on Friday afternoon. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Three (03L) was located at latitude 27.3°N and longitude 91.1°W which put it about 165 miles (265 km) south of Morgan City, Louisiana. Potential Tropical Cyclone Three was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Morgan City, Louisiana to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line, Florida including New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. The Tropical Storm Warning included Biloxi, Mississippi, Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida.

The circulation around Potential Tropical Cyclone Three strengthened on Friday afternoon. A C-MAN station (BURL1) at Southwest Pass, Louisiana with an anemometer at a height of 38 meters reported a sustained wind speed of 44 m.p.h. (71 km/h) and a wind gust of 51 m.p.h. (82 km/h). The sustained wind speed was equivalent to a speed of 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) at a standard observation height of 10 meters.

The circulation around Potential Tropical Cyclone Three continued to consist of a broad low pressure system at the surface. The strongest winds were occurring northeast of the center of the broad low pressure system. A high pressure system southeast of the U.S. was contributing to a stronger pressure gradient in that region. The stronger pressure gradient was causing winds to blow at tropical storm force. The winds were weaker in the other parts of Potential Tropical Cyclone Three. There were several smaller circulations revolving counterclockwise around the broader Potential Tropical Cyclone Three. One of the smaller circulations was south of Louisiana and another one was over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands northeast of the broad center and in a long band on the eastern side of the circulation.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Three will move through an environment slightly favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Potential Tropical Cyclone Three will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move between an upper level low over eastern Texas and an upper level ridge over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The low and ridge will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Potential Tropical Cyclone Three. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit intensification. The upper level ridge will contribute to upper level divergence that will pump mass to the east of Potential Tropical Cyclone Three. There will also be drier air over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, which will make it difficult for thunderstorms to develop in that area. Potential Tropical Cyclone Three could intensify a little more during the next six hours. If a well defined surface center of circulation develops, the system could be designated as a tropical storm.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Three will move around the western end of the high pressure system southeast of the U.S. The high pressure system will steer it toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Potential Tropical Cyclone Three will make landfall in southeastern Louisiana on Friday night. The system will move across southeastern Mississippi on Saturday and it could reach Alabama by Saturday night. It will bring gusty winds to southeast Louisiana and the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama. The system could cause a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet (1.0 to 1.5 meters) along parts of the coast. It will drop locally heavy rain when it moves inland. Heavy rain could cause flash floods over parts of the southeastern U.S. Flash Flood Watches were in effect for parts of southeastern Mississippi, Alabama, northwestern Florida, and western Georgia. There may also be enough low level wind shear to produce tornadoes when the rainbands in the eastern side of the circulation when it moves inland.

Tropical Storm Eta Brings Wind and Rain to Tampa

Tropical Storm Eta brought wind and rain to the area around Tampa and St. Petersburg on Wednesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Eta was located at latitude 28.3°N and longitude 83.4°W which put it about 60 miles (95 km) west-northwest of Tampa, Florida. Eta was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Boca Grande to Suwannee River, Florida. A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from the Flagler/Volusia County Line in Florida to St. Andrews Sound, Georgia. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Suwannee River to Aucilla River, Florida.

Bands revolving around the eastern side of Tropical Storm Eta brought wind and rain to the area around Tampa and St. Petersburg on Wednesday night. One band stretched from Sarasota to Tampa and another band was over Clearwater and Tarpon Springs. Heavy rain was dropping over those areas and there were reports of urban flooding. Since the center of Tropical Eta was west-northwest of Tampa, southwesterly winds were blowing water into Tampa Bay. There were reports of storm surges of several feet around the bay.

An upper level trough over the Central U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Eta toward the northeast on Thursday. On its anticipated track Eta will make landfall between Tarpon Springs and Cedar Key in a few hours. The trough will steer Tropical Storm Eta across northeastern Florida and out over the Atlantic Ocean. Eta could still be a tropical storm when it reaches the Atlantic which prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning for the coast of northeastern Florida. Tropical Storm Eta could pass southeast of Charleston, South Carolina on Thursday night.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Theta was moving south-southwest of the Azores. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Theta was located at latitude 31.1°N and longitude 31.4°W which put it about 540 miles (865 km) south-southwest of the Azores. Theta was moving toward the east-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Hurricane Zeta Hits New Orleans

Hurricane Zeta hit New Orleans, Louisiana and the coast of Mississippi on Wednesday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Zeta was located at latitude 31.5°N and longitude 88.7°W which put it about 45 miles (75 km) northeast of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Zeta was moving toward the northeast at 31 m.p.h. (50 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

A Hurricane Warning remained in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi/Alabama border. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Walton/Bay County Line in Florida.

Hurricane Zeta made landfall on the coast of Louisiana near Grand Isle late on Wednesday afternoon. The eye of Zeta passed over New Orleans before moving northeast into southern Mississippi. The strongest winds in Hurricane Zeta occurred in the eastern half of the circulation. A NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) station at Shell Beach Louisiana (SHBL1) reported a sustained wind speed of 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and a wind gust of 101 m.p.h. (163 km/h). A NOAA NOS station at the Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Mississippi (WYCM6) reported a wind speed of 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and a wind gust of 103 m.p.h. (167 km/h). The National Weather Service (NWS) office at the airport in New Orleans (KMSY) reported a Peak Wind of 71 m.p.h. (115 km/h). A station in Biloxi, Mississippi (KBIX) reported a sustained wind speed of 64 m.p.h. (104 km/h) and a wind gust of 87 m.p.h. (141 km/h). A station in Mobile, Alabama (KMOB) reported a sustained wind speed of 48 m.p.h. (78 km/h) and a wind gust of 91 m.p.h. (146 km/h).

There were reports of significant storm surges along the coast of Mississippi. There were also reports of widespread power outages in southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

Hurricane Zeta will move rapidly northeastward across Alabama during the night. The center of Zeta will be over northwestern Georgia by Thursday morning. Hurricane Zeta will weaken to a tropical storm during the night, but it will be capable of causing additional power outages. Zeta will also drop locally heavy rain. Flash Flood Watches were in effect for the area from Alabama to western Virginia. Zeta will eventually merge with a cold front and make a transition to an extratropical cyclone. The extratropical cyclone could contribute to snow that will fall over the northeastern U.S.

Hurricane Zeta Strengthens to Cat. 2

Hurricane Zeta strengthened to Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it neared southeast Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Zeta was located at latitude 27.9°N and longitude 91.1°W which put it about 155 miles (255 km) south-southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana. Zeta was moving toward the north-northeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Morgan City, Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border. The Hurricane Warning included New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Walton/Bay County Line in Florida.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane found that Hurricane Zeta was continuing to intensify on Wednesday. There was a a circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) at the center of Zeta. A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the core of Hurricane Zeta generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the north of the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force were occurring mainly in the eastern side of Zeta. Winds in the western side of the circulation were blowing at less than hurricane force.

Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) on the eastern side of Hurricane Zeta. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Zeta was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 25.2. Hurricane Zeta was capable of causing localized serious damage.

Hurricane Zeta could strengthen a little more before it makes landfall. Zeta will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 26°C. An upper level trough over the south central U.S. will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of Hurricane Zeta. Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear and Zeta could start to weaken just before it makes landfall. However, Zeta will be moving fairly quickly and it may not weaken much before it reaches the Gulf Coast.

The upper level trough will steer Hurricane Zeta toward the north-northeast during the next few hours. Zeta is likely to make landfall near Grand Isle, Louisiana. The center of Hurricane Zeta will pass very close to New Orleans and that city could experience hurricane force winds. The strongest winds will be on the eastern side of Zeta, which could also bring hurricane force winds to the coast of Mississippi. Places west of Grand Isle will experience weaker winds. Winds blowing water toward the coast could cause a storm surge of up to 8 to 12 feet (2.5 to 4 meters) along the coast of Mississippi.

Hurricane Zeta will weaken when it moves inland. Zeta will be strong enough to cause widespread power outages in southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and central and southern Alabama. Zeta will also drop locally heavy rain over parts of the southeastern U.S. Flash Flood Watches extend from southeastern Louisiana to northern Georgia, western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.