1 PM Advisory — Fred Sending Dangerous Storm Surge & Flooding Rains to the Florida Panhandle & Big Bend Region
SUMMARY OF 100 PM CDT…1800 UTC…INFORMATION
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LOCATION…29.4N 85.5W
ABOUT 35 MI…60 KM SW OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…65 MPH…100 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 9 MPH…15 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…994 MB…29.35 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
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A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* Coast of Florida from Indian Pass to Yankeetown
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Coast of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend from Navarre to the Steinhatchee River
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
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At 100 PM CDT (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Fred was located near latitude 29.4 North, longitude 85.5 West. Fred is moving toward the north-northeast near 9 mph (15 km/h), and this general motion is expected through tonight. On the forecast track, the center of Fred should make landfall in the eastern Florida Panhandle this afternoon or early this evening, and move over western Georgia on Tuesday.
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected before landfall. After landfall, Fred is expected to quickly weaken.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the center. A wind gust of 58 mph (93 km/h) was recently reported at Bald Point, Florida.
The estimated minimum central pressure based on data from the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft is 994 mb (29.35 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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RAINFALL — Fred is expected to produce the following rainfall amounts:
Through Monday…
Southern and Central Florida… 1 to 2 inches of additional rain with isolated maximum storm totals of 5 inches are expected.
Through Tuesday…
The Florida Big Bend and Panhandle… 4 to 8 inches of rain with isolated maximum storm totals of 12 inches are expected.
Southeast Alabama through western and northern Georgia, and the western Carolinas… 4 to 7 inches of rain with isolated maximum storm totals of 10 inches are expected.
Through Wednesday…
Portions of the Mid-Atlantic States… 2 to 4 inches of rain with isolated maximum storm totals of 6 inches expected as Fred interacts with a nearby front.
Heavy rainfall across portions of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States could lead to flash, urban, small stream and isolated river flooding impacts. An increased risk of landslides exists across the mountains of North Carolina as well as portions of the Blue Ridge Escarpment on Tuesday.
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…
Indian Pass, FL to Steinhatchee River, FL…3-5 ft
Steinhatchee River, FL to Yankeetown, FL…2-4 ft
AL/FL border to Indian Pass including Pensacola Bay, Choctawhatchee Bay and Saint Andrew Bay…1-3 ft
Yankeetown, FL to Aripeka, FL…1-3 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are occurring in portions of the Tropical Storm warning area.
SURF: Swells generated by Fred are affecting the coasts of Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, and could causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office for more details.
TORNADOES: A few tornadoes are possible today and tonight across parts of the Florida Panhandle, southwest Georgia, and southeast Alabama.
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Severe Weather, Tropical