| https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Florence BULLETIN Tropical Depression Florence Advisory Number 68 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL062018 500 AM EDT Sun Sep 16 2018 ...FLORENCE WEAKENS TO A DEPRESSION BUT FLASH FLOODING AND MAJOR RIVER FLOODING WILL CONTINUE OVER A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE CAROLINAS... SUMMARY OF 500 AM EDT...0900 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...33.8N 81.4W ABOUT 20 MI...35 KM SW OF COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 8 MPH...13 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1000 MB...29.53 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Tropical Storm Warning from South Santee River South Carolina to Surf City North Carolina is discontinued. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Interests in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states should monitor the progress of Florence due to the heavy rainfall threat. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 500 AM EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Florence was located near latitude 33.8 North, longitude 81.4 West. The depression is moving toward the west near 8 mph (13 km/h). A turntoward the northwest with an increase in forward speed is expected today, followed by a turn toward the north and northeast with an additional increase in forward speed on Monday. On the forecast track, Florence's center will move across the western Carolinas today and then recurve over the Ohio Valley and Northeast U.S. Monday and Tuesday. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Continued gradual weakening is forecast during the next couple of days. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 mb (29.53 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- RAINFALL: Florence is expected to produce heavy and excessive rainfall in the following areas... Central and western North Carolina into far southwest Virginia... An additional 5 to 10 inches, with storm total accumulations of 15 to 20 inches in western North Carolina. These rainfall amounts will produce catastrophic flash flooding, prolonged significant river flooding, and an elevated risk for landslides in western North Carolina and far southwest Virginia. Southern North Carolina into Northern South Carolina... An additional 4 to 6 inches, isolated 8 inches. This rainfall will result in additional flash flooding while also exacerbating the river flooding. Storm total accumulations of 30 to 40 inches in southeast North Carolina. West-central Virginia, north of Roanoke and west of Charlottesville... 2 to 4 inches, isolated 6 inches. This rainfall will result in flash flooding and potentially lead to some river flooding. TORNADOES: A few tornadoes remain possible across North Carolina and eastern South Carolina today and tonight. SURF: Swells generated by Florence are affecting Bermuda, portions of the U.S. East Coast, and the northwestern and central Bahamas. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- This is the last advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center on Florence. Future information on Florence can be found in Public Advisories issued by the Weather Prediction Center beginning at 11 AM EDT, under AWIPS header TCPAT1, WMO header WTNT31 KWNH, and on the web at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov . $$ Forecaster Pasch |