Even though the "tracking cone" no longer includes Tybee, the size of the storm will still put us under the influence of Florence for several days. You can expect the next update from Tybee on Tuesday around the noon hour.
..FLORENCE GROWING IN SIZE AND STRENGTH...
...HURRICANE AND STORM SURGE WATCHES COULD BE ISSUED TUESDAY
MORNING...
SUMMARY OF 500 PM EST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
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ABOUT 1282 MI... ESE OF SAVANNAH, GA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...140 MPH...220 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...939 MB...27.73 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Interests in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states should monitor the progress of Florence. Storm Surge and Hurricane watches could be issued for portions of these areas by Tuesday morning.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
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At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Florence was located near latitude 25.4 North, longitude 61.1 West. Florence is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h). his general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. A turn toward the northwest is forecast to occur late Wednesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the coast of South Carolina or North Carolina on Thursday.
Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Florence is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Further strengthening is anticipated, and Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure from NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft data is 939 mb (27.73 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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SURF: Swells generated by Florence are affecting Bermuda and portions of the U.S. East Coast. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
