Tropical Depression Nate is still barreling over Alabama as I type, and the National Hurricane Center is continuing to post advisories as the storm makes its way to the northeast. We’re fortunate that the storm moved onshore quickly and has continued to keep up a speedy pace as it dissipates. Here are the latest numbers on Nate:
LOCATION…33.1N 87.3W
ABOUT 40 MI…65 KM SW OF BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…35 MPH…55 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNE OR 30 DEGREES AT 24 MPH…39 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…996 MB…29.42 INCHES
All coastal storm advisories have been lifted.
While Nate continues to weaken rapidly, this hurricane season doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. We’re watching another disturbance in the Atlantic, which has a 70 percent chance of formation. The low pressure system is about 800 miles away from the Azores and is already producing thunderstorms and scattered showers. Gale-force winds are starting to blow near the center — that’s a pretty good indicator of cyclonic formation.
The good news? The system is expected to remain stationary for the next few days, followed by a turn to the southeast. But we don’t yet know what the storm will do once it’s taken that initial turn. Remember Hurricane Lee and its crazy loop? I wouldn’t rule a situation like that out quite yet.
Hunker Down! 