Brevard County recommends evacuations as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches Central Florida coast
Emergency officials are recommending people living on the barrier island and other low-lying or flood-prone neighborhoods to evacuate before Tropical Storm Nicole has the potential to make landfall on Florida's east coast.
Tracking the tropics: Fred spawns flooding in US; Hurricane Grace heads toward Mexico
Tropical Storm Fred weakened to a depression and spawned several apparent tornadoes in Georgia and North Carolina on Tuesday as it dumped heavy rains into the Appalachian mountains along a path that could cause flash floods as far north as upstate New York.
ULA launches national security satellite from Cape Canaveral
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. โ A United Launch Alliance rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Friday evening into a clear colorful sky carrying a secret spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. The Atlas V rocketโs mission was to launch a satellite known as as NROL-101 for the National Reconnaissance Office. Liftoff happened after a few brief delays at 5:32 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex-41. The liftoff was scheduled for about 20 minutes earlier but ULA reported a timing issue with some engine valves that was quickly resolved. Meanwhile, downrange SpaceX is preparing to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center sending four astronauts to the International Space Station.
Courts close across Florida as state braces for Tropical Storm Etaโs impact
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. โ Volusia and Flagler counties are two of many across Florida closing courts Thursday to contend with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Eta. The Fourth Judicial Circuit, which includes Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns, will close courts on Thursday with plans to reopen them on Friday once the storm made its way out of the state. [TRENDING: Whatโs the โdirty sideโ of a storm? | CDC gives guidance on Thanksgiving | Astronauts prepare for Saturday launch]The Florida Supreme Court posted information on its website about more than a dozen storm-related trial court closures across the state this week. Those details are copied and pasted verbatim below:
Hereโs what to expect from Eta if you live in Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ Orange County Emergency managers say they are monitoring the impacts of Tropical Storm Eta which should come through overnight Wednesday into Thursday. According to Orange County Emergency Manager Chief Lauraleigh Avery the countyโs EOC is monitoring the storm. Potential Impacts:โข Impact of this weather system will be overnight tonight and into Thursdayโข In Orange County, expect sustained winds 15-25mph with gusts up to 35mphโข 43% probability of Tropical Storm force winds in Orlandoโข Low threat of tornados in western Orange County and very low threat in Eastern Orange Countyโข Expected rainfall 1-2โณ, with up to 4-6โฒ' if we receive squalls. โOrange county continues to monitor the system and is prepared to take immediate action if changes occur,โ Avery said in a statement. There are currently no road closures or sand bag distribution centers open in the county, however Orange County does have an emergency notification app that you can download if anything changes or if the threat becomes greater as Eta approaches.
UPDATE: Hereโs how Eta will impact Central Florida
As of Wednesday morning, Tropical Storm Eta was 130 miles west-southwest of Fort Myers, dumping rain and packing 70 mph winds as it moved north-northeast at 15 mph. Several Central Florida counties are under tropical storm warnings and watches. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds begin by 4AM Thursday. Latest wind advisory issued in Volusia County (WKMG)Tropical Storm warning released in Central Florida.
TRACK, MODELS, RADAR: Tropical Storm Eta shifts east, Central Florida back in play
ORLANDO, Fla. โ ***10:54 p.m. Nov. 10, 2020***The Tuesday 10 P.M. update has the track of Tropical Storm Eta making Landfall in Florida sometime on Thursday afternoon. People who live there should make plans to be ready for Tropical Storm winds of 35 to 55 mph, some gust may be much stronger. Latest track of Tropical Storm Eta released. (WKMG)Forecasters predicted more heavy rainfall Tuesday in Cuba and in South Florida, where as much as 23 inches were expected to accumulate. Tropical Storm Eta was squatting off western Cuba on Tuesday after drifting away from South Florida, where it unleashed a deluge that flooded entire neighborhoods and covered the floors of some homes and businesses.
Hereโs how Eta will impact Central Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. โ ***10:25 p.m. Nov. 9 update***The impacts of Tropical Storm Eta for the Central Florida area are starting to lessen. ***Original***Tropical Storm Eta is churning in the Gulf of Mexico, bringing big changes to Central Floridaโs forecast. Central Florida is already feeling the impacts of Eta, particularly along its coastal counties. (WKMG)In the meantime, Central Florida is already feeling the impacts of Eta, particularly along its coastal counties. Central impactsIn interior portions of Central Florida, residents should stay weather aware as tornadoes are possible, according to Bridges.
TRACK, MODELS, MORE: Eta strengthens into tropical storm
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Tropical Depression Eta strengthened into a tropical storm again Saturday just before 10 a.m.A tropical storm warning has been issued for Brevard County, where tropical storm-force winds are expected within the next 36 hours. Winds will constantly blow between 30-35 mph, with gusts near 50 mph. [VIEW: Latest weather alerts]As of Saturday night, Tropical Storm Eta is 140 miles west-southwest of Camaguey, Cuba. Tropical storm windsCentral Florida ImpactsRain:Widespread rain arrives Sunday night and continues through Monday. Wind gusts will be on the order of 35-50mph.
LIVE TRACK: Beta makes slow turn toward U.S. coast, Wilfred downgraded to tropical depression
Coastal communities began preparing for Beta over the weekend, with both the city of Galveston and Galveston County on Saturday issued voluntary evacuation orders. Tropical Storm BetaTropics Forecast Cone at 10:57 Sunday Morning, September 20thTropical Storm Beta is about 180 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas. Little change in strength is forecast during the next couple of days before Beta reaches the Texas coast. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles, forecasters said. Tropical Depression WilfredTropics Forecast Cone at 10:45 Sunday Morning, September 20thTropical Depression Wilfred is 1,340 miles west of The Cabo Verde Islands.
LIVE TRACK: Teddy, Wilfred, Beta churn in the Atlantic, no immediate threat to Florida
As of 11 p.m. Saturday, maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph, as the storm moves north-northeast at 2 mph. Little change in strength is forecast during the next couple of days before Beta reaches the Texas coast, forecasters said. As of 11 p.m. Saturday, forecasters said maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph as the storm moves northwest at 13 mph. Tropical Storm WilfredTropics Forecast Cone at 4:57 Saturday Night, September 19thTropical Storm Wilfred is 1,105 miles west of The Cabo Verde Islands. Forecasters said gradual weakening is expected Sunday night and on Monday, and Wilfred is expected to dissipate by Tuesday.
LIVE TRACK: Wilfred, Alpha, Beta become named storms within hours of each other
The National Hurricane Center said Beta formed around 4 p.m. in the Gulf of Mexico. pic.twitter.com/zpDa2xBGqg โ Jonathan Kegges (@JonathanKegges) September 18, 2020The storm could strengthen and near hurricane strength on Sunday, according to the hurricane center. According to the National Hurricane Center, the system is expected to fall apart over the weekend. Subtropical Storm #Alpha Advisory 2: Alpha Makes Landfall in Portugal. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM โ National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 18, 2020Wilfredโs maximum sustained winds Friday afternoon were near 40 mph.
What is a potential tropical cyclone?
ORLANDO, Fla.- The potential tropical cyclone is a relatively new designation from the National Hurricane Center. It was created in 2017 to identify areas of disturbed weather close to land that have the potential to take on tropical characteristics. The main characteristic of a tropical cyclone; depression, storm or hurricane is a well-defined center at the surface. A tropical cyclone is an area of low pressure in the tropics that has that well-defined center at the surface. In our part of the world, of course, we refer to these as tropical depressions, tropical storms or hurricanes.
Tropical Storm Bertha downgraded to depression, heads toward Carolinas bringing possibly life-threatening flooding
Florida is just a few days away from entering hurricane season, and the tropics are wasting no time heating up. Tropical Storm #Bertha Advisory 1: Tropical Storm Bertha Forms Near the Coast of South Carolina. Tropical Storm Warning Issued and Heavy Rainfall Expected. Bertha, now a tropical depression, is expected to bring heavy rainfall and possibly life-threatening flash flooding to portions of the Carolinas and Virginia. Tropical Storm Bertha forms, heads towards Carolinas, misses Florida (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)
Heating up in Central Florida as Tropical Storm Arthur moves away
ORLANDO, Fla.- โ Late Saturday night, The first named storm of the season, Arthur, developed just off the east coast of Florida. As Tropical Storm Arthur moves further away from Florida, drier air will pour in behind it. As a result, Central Florida will get in on a little more sunshine and heat. A cold front approaching from the west will push in Monday afternoon increasing shower and storm chances for the second half of Monday. Future RadarBeach Forecast:Beach forecastThe Atlantic will still be a little rough, but the rip current threat will be lower as the the winds have shifted to the northwest behind Tropical Storm Arthur.
Depression east of Florida strengthens into Tropical Storm Arthur, NHC says
ORLANDO, Fla. โ A tropical depression that formed Saturday off the coast of east-central Florida has strengthened into Tropical Storm Arthur, according to the National Hurricane Center. The tropical storm, which had maximum sustained winds near 40 mph with higher gusts, was moving toward the north-northeast near 13 mph. [COUNTY-BY-COUNTY RESOURCES: Everything you need to prep for hurricane season]Tropical Storm Arthur is still well offshore, roughly 190 miles east-northeast from Cape Canaveral, and it will continue to move away. Arthur is headed toward the northeast, where itโs expected to maintain tropical storm strength for a few more days. Tropical storm watches are in place for portions of the North Carolina coast.
Tropical Storm Sebastien forms in Atlantic
ORLANDO, Fla. โ With just days left in the Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Sebastien has formed. Sebastien has maximum sustained winds up to 45 mph with higher gusts and is moving northwest at about 12 mph, forecasters said. Forecasters predict Sebastien will become an extra-tropical cyclone in a couple of days before being absorbed by a cold front later this week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided the following definition for an extra-tropical cyclone:โAn extra-tropical cyclone is a storm system that primarily gets its energy from the horizontal temperature contrasts that exist in the atmosphere. Hurricane season ends Nov. 30.