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ETA will bring tropical storm force winds to central Florida
FOX 35 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Richards tracks Tropical Storm Eta.
ORLANDO, Florida – Tropical Storm Eta is moving north along the coast and is already bringing high winds and heavy rain to central Florida.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Eta is already bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to west-central Florida. It is currently located approximately 65 miles west-southwest of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Eta is moving north at around 12 mph and is expected to traverse northern Florida, affecting Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Lake and Sumter counties with tropical storm conditions as it contains maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.
“The center of Eta is forecast to move closer, but just off the west-central Florida coast this evening, and move inland over the northern part of the Florida peninsula. Thursday, ”the NHC said. “Eta is expected to move northeast into the western Atlantic on Thursday evening and Friday morning.”
FOX 35 declares Wednesday afternoon until at least noon Thursday a FOX 35 WEATHER ALERT DAY.
FOX 35 chief meteorologist Glenn Richards said tropical storm force wind gusts will be felt across most of central Florida from Wednesday evening. The strongest winds will be west and north of the Orlando metro until noon Thursday.
FOX 35 meteorologist Jayme King said Eta is expected to be a very strong tropical storm on land, expected to occur around 7 a.m. Thursday morning. After landing, the NHC said the Eta would weaken quickly.
RELATED: Tropical Storm Eta: Some Florida Counties To Close Schools Thursday
While the western counties of our viewing area will be the hardest hit, other parts of central Florida should be aware of rain, flooding, gusty winds, and the possibility of thunderstorm cells. that could produce a tornado.
ACTIVE WATCHES AND WARNINGS
A storm warning:
- Bonita Beach in Suwanee River, Florida, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor
A tropical storm warning:
- Bonita Beach in Suwannee River, Florida
A storm watch:
- From the Steinhatchee River to the Suwannee River, Florida
A tropical storm watch:
- North of the Suwannee River to the Aucilla River, Florida
There are less than three weeks left in the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and we are currently keeping an eye on three systems.
TROPICAL STORM THETA
The NHC said Theta became our 29th named storm of the season, breaking a previous record set in 2005.
TRACK THE TROPICS: Visit FOX 35 Orlando Hurricane Center for the latest news from the tropics, including daily updates, live speed cameras, and extreme weather alerts
The system is moving east-northeast over the eastern Atlantic at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. It is expected to weaken slightly over the next couple of days, with faster weakening expected over the weekend.
Theta is expected to remain over the eastern Atlantic for the next few days and poses no threat to Florida.
NEW SYSTEM TO MONITOR
A tropical wave over the eastern Caribbean Sea produces a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
WEATHER ALERTS: Download the FOX 35 weather app to track the tropics on your phone, receive severe weather alerts, and get the latest daily forecast
The NHC says the wave is expected to move slowly west under more favorable environmental conditions over the next few days, with a tropical depression likely to form at the end of this week or weekend when the wave reaches the central or western Caribbean Sea.
Regardless of development, this system is expected to result in heavy rains as well as possible flash flooding in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and parts of Hispaniola over the coming days.
Forecasters give it an 80% chance of developing over the next five days and if it does turn into a named storm it would be called “Iota”.
Hurricane season ends on November 30.
Watch FOX 35 News for the latest news on hurricane season.
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