Miami, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-The warning for Subtropical Storm Alberto for the immediate Tampa Bay area has been dropped as the system heads for the upper Gulf of Mexico coast.
The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center shows......ALBERTO TURNING NORTH-NORTHWESTWARD WITH NO CHANGE IN STRENGTH...
LOCATION...28.0N 85.2W ABOUT 165 MI...265 KM W OF TAMPA FLORIDA ABOUT 120 MI...190 KM S OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNW OR 345 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...994 MB...29.36 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The Tropical Storm Warning along the west coast of Florida has been discontinued south of the Anclote River.
The Storm Surge Watch has been discontinued along the northern Gulf Coast west of Navarre, Florida.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * Crystal River to Navarre Florida
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Anclote River to the Mississippi/Alabama border
A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK The center of Subtropical Storm Alberto was located near latitude 28.0 North, longitude 85.2 West. The storm is moving toward the north-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). A north-northwest motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected tonight. A north-northwestward to northward motion is expected Monday through Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Alberto will move over the northern Gulf of Mexico tonight and approach the northern Gulf Coast in the warning area on Monday. Heavy rainfall and tropical storm conditions will likely reach the northern Gulf Coast well before the arrival of the center of Alberto. Alberto is expected to move inland into the Tennessee Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast before Alberto reaches the northern Gulf Coast. Steady weakening is expected after landfall, and Alberto is forecast to become a tropical depression Monday night or Tuesday.
Winds of 40 mph extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 994 mb (29.36 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- RAINFALL: Alberto is expected to produce the following rain accumulations through Tuesday:
Central Cuba...Additional 5 to 10 inches, isolated storm-totals of 20-25 inches.
The Florida panhandle into much of Alabama and western Georgia...4 to 8 inches, isolated 12 inches.
The Florida Keys and south Florida...Additional 3 to 6 inches, isolated storm totals of 10 inches.
Rest of the Florida peninsula...1 to 4 inches.
Graphic courtesy National Hurricane Center