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Zeta Continues to Weaken While Producing Damage With Its Gusty Winds

| October 29, 2020 @ 3:43 am

SUMMARY OF 400 AM CDT…0900 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…34.0N 85.5W
ABOUT 65 MI…105 KM WNW OF ATLANTA GEORGIA
ABOUT 80 MI…130 KM ENE OF BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…60 MPH…95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NE OR 40 DEGREES AT 39 MPH…63 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…988 MB…29.18 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Navarre to Walton/Bay County Line Florida

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 400 AM CDT (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Zeta was
located near latitude 34.0 North, longitude 85.5 West. Zeta is
racing toward the northeast near 39 mph (63 km/h). An even
faster northeastward motion is expected later today, followed by a
rapid east-northeastward motion tonight and Friday. On the forecast
track, the center of Zeta will move across portions of the
southeastern U.S. this morning, across the Mid-Atlantic states this
afternoon, and emerge over the western Atlantic by tonight.

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts.
Zeta is expected to become a non-tropical gale-force low later
today. The low should become absorbed by a frontal system over the
western Atlantic by Friday night.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km)
from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on surface
observations is 988 mb (29.18 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
STORM SURGE: Water levels along the Central Gulf coast will
gradually subside throughout the day. Consult products issued by
your local National Weather Service forecast office for additional
information.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue within
the warning area near the northern Gulf Coast for a few more hours.

Damaging winds, especially in gusts, are spreading well inland
across portions of central and northern Alabama, and northern
Georgia, and these winds will shift into eastern Tennessee, the
Carolinas, and southeastern Virginia later today. Wind gusts could
be especially severe across the southern Appalachian Mountains.

RAINFALL: Areas of heavy rainfall, both in advance of Zeta and
along the track of Zeta, will impact areas from the central
Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic and lower to middle Ohio Valley through
Thursday. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected across these
areas, resulting in possible flash, urban, small stream, and
isolated minor river flooding.

TORNADOES: A few tornadoes could occur this morning from parts of
the Florida Panhandle across southeastern Alabama and Georgia. A
tornado or two is possible later today over the Carolinas and
southern Virginia.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Severe Weather, Tropical

About the Author ()

Scott Martin is an operational meteorologist, professional graphic artist, musician, husband, and father. Not only is Scott a member of the National Weather Association, but he is also the Central Alabama Chapter of the NWA president. Scott is also the co-founder of Racecast Weather, which provides forecasts for many racing series across the USA. He also supplies forecasts for the BassMaster Elite Series events including the BassMaster Classic.

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