Tropical Disturbances Today

Disturbance 1. Hurricane Idalia is located about 275 miles SSW of Tampa, Florida moving north at 14 MPH with minimum sustained winds of 85 MPH and strengthening. A faster motion toward the north and north-northeast is expected through early Wednesday while Idalia approaches the Gulf coast of Florida.  Idalia is forecast to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Gulf coast of Florida Wednesday morning. A turn toward the northeast and east-northeast is forecast late Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the center of Idalia near or along the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas. Hurricane conditions are expected along portions of the Gulf Coast of Florida tonight and Wednesday that include life-threatening storm surge and flooding. Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches have been issued from Cuba northward to North Carolina. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

Disturbance 2. Hurricane Franklin is located about 345 miles WSW of Bermuda moving NNE at 12 MPH with 130 MPH maximum sustained winds. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Bermuda and life-threatening surf and rip currents are ongoing along the east coast of the United States. These conditions are expected to continue during the next several days. Steady weakening is forecast during the next several days, but Franklin will remain a hurricane through late this week.

Disturbance 3. Tropical Depression Eleven is located about 855 miles ESE of Bermuda (over the open waters of the Central Atlantic) moving north at 2 MPH with maximum sustained winds of 35 MPH. A slightly faster and generally northward motion is expected Wednesday and Thursday. Some slight strengthening is possible during the next day or so, and the depression could become a tropical storm later today or tonight. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Disturbance 4. Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is located just off the west coast of Africa. Environmental conditions appear marginally conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form later in the week while the system moves west-northwestward to northwestward across the eastern tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent and formation chance through 7 days...medium...50 percent.