Eta is Nearly a Hurricane Once Again; Hurricane Warnings May Be Issued Soon

The latest Vortex Data Message from the National Hurricane Center shows that the latest reconnaissance mission into the center of Eta could not find an eye as of yet (F and G), but it does show that maximum surface winds are up to 62 knots (L) or just over 70 MPH. If this data checks out without error, Eta is nearly strengthened back into a hurricane as it approaches the southern Cuban coast.

If this translates over into the next Public Advisory that comes out at 3:00 pm, hurricane watches and warnings may need to be issued to replace the current tropical storm warnings.

Tropical Storm Warnings are up for:

• The Cayman Islands
• The Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, and Matanzas.
• Northwestern Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence.
• Florida coast from Golden Beach to Chokoloskee, including Florida Bay.
• The Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas

Tropical Storm Watches are up for:

• The Cuban provinces of La Habana, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth.
• Florida east coast north of Golden Beach Florida to the Brevard/Volusia county line
• Florida west coast north of Chokoloskee to Englewood
• Lake Okeechobee

Key Messages:

1. Heavy rainfall will continue across the Cayman Islands, portions of Cuba and Jamaica, and will spread north into the Bahamas and southern Florida. This rain may result in significant, life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding in Cuba. Flash and urban flooding will also be possible for the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and southern Florida.

2. Tropical storm conditions are expected today and Sunday in portions of the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and the northwestern Bahamas, where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect.

3. Tropical storm conditions are expected by late Sunday in the Florida Keys and along portions of the southeast Florida coast, where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. Tropical storm conditions are possible elsewhere in portions of southern and central Florida beginning Sunday night, where a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect. Additional Tropical Storm Warnings will likely be needed later today.

Category: ALL POSTS, Severe Weather, Tropical