Tropical Storm Warning - Keys

The National Hurricane Center (NHC), has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for portions of the Florida Keys. Tropical Storm Laura will pass to the south of the island chain but some of its effect can be felt across the area.

Satellite

Laura has been moving mostly over the southern waters of Cuba with most of the heavy rain over Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

 

A report from Eastern Cuba said most of the gusty winds happened around 1 am for a while,  but very little rainfall.  

The picture shows the sunrise around 7 am Monday morning with mostly dry conditions. Eastern Cuba was spared the wrath of Laura that descended upon Haiti and Dominican Republic over the weekend where rain led to flooding and casualties. 

Key's Advisories

Laura will move west with its tropical force winds of up to 65 mph fanning out from the center up to 175 miles. 

• A tropical Storm Warning is in place form Craig Key to Key West. This means that sustained winds over 39 mph are EXPECTED in less than 36 hours.  
• A coastal flood watch is also in effect. Tides are running about half a foot above normal levels. High tides may cause flooding of roadways.

Impact info from NWS Key West Office

Impacts for Miami-Dade, Broward Counties

This area is being squeezed between high pressure and Laura. This combo will keep the region windy to gusty at times with some fast moving downpours through Tuesday morning. Thats when Laura is expected to make its approach into the Gulf.

• A Gale Warning has been issued for the Coastal Waters where winds can reach 30 mph as well as a Wind advisory for all of the areas East of I-95 in Palm Beach & Broward counties, and East of I-95 and US1 in Miami Dade. 

Stay up to date on where the strongest rains are located with the NWS radar loop.

What is Next?

Laura will hug the South Cuban Coast for much of the day and finally moving into the Gulf of Mexico early Tuesday morning. There it has a chance to strengthen into a hurricane.  

• The remaining impacts will be for Jamaica and Cuba with rain totals near 4 to 8 inches with a few spots receiving as much as 12. Flooding will be a major threat.
• Cayman Islands are forecast to see totals of 2" - 4" with the Turks & Caicos and NW Bahamas between 1" - 2".

Its next stop should be Coastal Texas/Louisiana on Wednesday.

Marco

Fortunately Marco is losing its punch and not forecast to make landfall as a hurricane but still capable of gusty winds and heavy rain. It will slide across Louisiana and Texas, Monday & Tuesday.

Final Note

Today is the 28th Anniversary of infamous Hurricane Andrew which slammed the Homestead area with category 5 winds. Those who lived through it will never forget. 

We'll be watching