...Hurricane Warning issued as Ophelia creeps toward the coast...
At 11 PM EDT...0300z...a Hurricane Warning has been issued from the South Santee River South Carolina to Cape Lookout North Carolina.
At 11 PM EDT...a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued from north of Cape Lookout to Oregon Inlet North Carolina...including Pamlico Sound.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect from north of Edisto Beach South Carolina to the South Santee River.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in the warning area within the next 24 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area within the next 24 hours.
For storm information specific to your area...including possible inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued by your local weather office.
At 11 PM EDT...0300z...the center of Tropical Storm Ophelia was located near latitude 31.8 north... longitude 77.9 west or about 140 miles east-southeast of Charleston South Carolina and about 210 miles south-southwest of Cape Lookout North Carolina.
Ophelia is moving toward the west-northwest near 3 mph. A gradual turn to the north is expected over the next 24 hours.
Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph with higher gusts. Ophelia has the potential to regain hurricane strength during the next 24 hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 160 miles ...260 km from the center. Ophelia's strongest winds are located relatively far from the center...roughly 50 to 60 miles. These winds will reach the coastline well in advance of the center.
The minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve unit reconnaissance aircraft was 990 mb...29.23 inches.
Storm surge flooding of 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels...along with large and dangerous battering waves...are possible in areas of onshore winds in association with Ophelia. A storm surge of up to 7 feet is possible at the heads of bays and rivers.
Ophelia is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches... with local amounts of up to 8 inches across eastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina over the next 2 days.
Repeating the 11 PM EDT position...31.8 N... 77.9 W. Movement toward...west-northwest near 3 mph. Maximum sustained winds... 70 mph. Minimum central pressure... 990 mb.
An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 2 am EDT followed by the next complete advisory at 5 am EDT.
Forecaster Franklin
...Hurricane Warning issued as Ophelia creeps toward the coast...
At 11 PM EDT...0300z...a Hurricane Warning has been issued from the South Santee River South Carolina to Cape Lookout North Carolina.
At 11 PM EDT...a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued from north of Cape Lookout to Oregon Inlet North Carolina...including Pamlico Sound.
Creeping for sure!