Ophelia is once again a hurricane and drifting in the Atlantic ocean. The latest track has her coming ashore south of Myrtle Beach Tuesday and heading north. Right now, the latest track has the center of circulation passing to our east, but we will likely see at least a few showers and storms as a result on Tuesday and Wednesday. These systems have a mind of their own and can change in a matter of hours. Stay tuned for the latest updates.
Gabz and MoJo...y'all can come stay with me!
...Hurricane hunter reports Ophelia just a little farther to the east...
a Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the southeast coast of the United States from the Savannah River South Carolina northeastward to Cape Lookout North Carolina. The Hurricane Watch may have to be shifted northward later tonight or Sunday. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area... generally within 36 hours.
For storm information specific to your area...including possible inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued by your local weather office.
At 8 PM EDT...0000z...the center of Hurricane Ophelia was located near latitude 31.8 north...longitude 75.9 west or about 255 miles east-southeast of Charleston South Carolina and about 235 miles south of Cape Hatteras North Carolina.
Ophelia has been drifting toward the northeast. Little motion is anticipated the rest of tonight or Sunday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph...130 km/hr...with higher gusts. Ophelia is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. No significant change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles... 45 km... from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles...220 km.
The minimum central pressure just reported by an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft is 977 mb...28.85 inches.
Repeating the 8 PM EDT position...31.8 N... 75.9 W. Movement toward...drifting northeastward. Maximum sustained winds... 80 mph. Minimum central pressure... 977 mb.
The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 11 PM EDT.
Forecaster Beven
Local weather for me is out of Norfolk. Now that we switched from cable to satellite I don't get the much closer Maryland stations anymore. Weather forecasts out of salisbury/Ocean City are far more accurate for me than from Norfolk because they are getting their wx mostly from Wallops Island which is 15 miles due east of me.........