Ed DunhamAdministrator Meteorologist & CFHC Forum Moderator
...Tropical depression moving slowly northwestward through the Bahamas...nearing tropical storm strength...
a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the central and northwestern Bahamas... including Cat Island... the Exumas... Long Island... Rum Cay... San Salvador... the northwestern Bahamas... the Abacos... Andros Island... the Berry Islands... Bimini... Eleuthera... Grand Bahama Island... and New Providence. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.
A tropical storm watch remains in effect for portions of the East Coast of Florida and the Florida Keys from west of the Seven Mile Bridge northward to Vero Beach. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area... generally within 36 hours. A Hurricane Watch may be required later today for portions of the Florida East Coast.
For storm information specific to your area...including possible inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued by your local weather office.
At 5 am EDT...0900z...the center of Tropical Depression Twelve was located near latitude 24.0 north...longitude 76.4 west or about 95 miles... 150 km...southeast of Nassau and about 270 miles... 430 km...east-southeast of the southeast coast of Florida.
The depression is moving toward the northwest near 7 mph ...11 km/hr...and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. This motion should bring the center through the central and northwestern Bahamas.
Reports from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph... 55 km/hr...with higher gusts...mainly in squalls to the east of the center. Strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours...and the depression could become a tropical storm later today.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb...29.71 inches. Georgetown on great Exuma Island recently reported a pressure of 1006.8 mb...29.73 inches.
The depression is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over the central and northwestern Bahamas... with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches possible. Isolated rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are possible along the north coast of Cuba.
Storm surge flooding of 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels... along with large and dangerous battering waves... can be expected near the center in areas of onshore winds in the Bahamas.
Repeating the 5 am EDT position...24.0 N... 76.4 W. Movement toward...northwest near 7 mph. Maximum sustained winds... 35 mph. Minimum central pressure...1006 mb.
An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 8 am EDT followed by the next complete advisory at 11 am EDT.
Forecaster Beven