Miami, Fla. (Newsradio 970 WFLA)-The Tropical Storm Warning south of the middle of Longboat Key has been discontinued, but the warning for the area north of Longboat Key, including Tampa Bay, continues.
Here is the latest advisory on Subtropical Storm Alberto...ALBERTO CONTINUES TO MOVE NORTHWARD OVER THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO...
LOCATION...27.7N 84.7W ABOUT 135 MI...220 KM W OF TAMPA FLORIDA ABOUT 140 MI...225 KM S OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 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 Middle of Longboat Key.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * Crystal River to the Florida/Alabama border
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Middle of Longboat Key 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.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ------The center of Subtropical Storm Alberto was located near latitude 27.7 North, longitude 84.7 West. The storm is moving toward the north near 13 mph (20 km/h). A turn toward the north-northwest at a slower forward speed is forecast to occur later today or tonight. A north-northwestward to northward motion is expected Monday through Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Alberto will cross the eastern and northern Gulf of Mexico today and approach the northern Gulf Coast in the warning area tonight or 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 northward into the Tennessee Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast before the system reaches the northern Gulf Coast. Steady weakening is expected after landfall, and Alberto is forecast to become a tropical depression by Monday night or Tuesday.
Winds of 40 mph extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km) primarily to the east of the center.
The latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft 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 inches.
The Florida panhandle into eastern 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.
Graphic courtesy National Hurricane Center