At 2:00 PM EDT the center of Tropical Storm Florence wa located near latitude 33.6 North, longitude 79.8 West. Florence is moving slowly toward the west near 3 mph (6 km/h) and a slow westward motion is expected to continue through today. A turn toward the west-northwest and northwest is expected on Sunday. Florence is forecast to turn northward through the Ohio Valley by Monday.
Radar data and surface observations indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts, mainly to the east of the center in heavy rainbands over water. Gradual weakening is forecast while Florence moves farther inland during the next couple of days, and it is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by tonight.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km) from the center. A sustained wind of 40 mph (65 km/h) with a gust to 49 mph (79 km/h) was recently reported at the Johnny Mercer Pier in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.
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CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Myrtle Beach South Carolina to Ocracoke Inlet North Carolina
* Pamlico Sound, including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* South Santee River South Carolina to Cape Lookout North Carolina
* Pamlico Sound
Interests elsewhere in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states should monitor the progress of Florence.