MIAMI, Florida – NOAA’s National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida issued Public Advisories at 11 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, due the presence of two tropical depressions that are expected to become tropical storms before making landfall on Florida and nearing North Carolina.
The double tropical cyclones threatening the U.S. while Hurricane Gaston looms in the central Atlantic come after NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecasted that the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, would be the most active hurricane season in four years.
Tropical Depression 8 Nears North Carolina
Tropical Depression Eight is located over the Atlantic Ocean about 70 miles south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and is moving toward the north-northwest at 5 mph.
A turn toward the north is expected later today, and a turn toward the northeast is forecast on Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of the depression will be near the Outer Banks of North Carolina this afternoon or this evening.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph (55 km/h), with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Tropical Depression 8 could become a tropical storm later on Tuesday.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the coast of North Carolina from Cape Lookout to Oregon Inlet, and Pamlico Sound. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. In this case within 12 hours.
Interests elsewhere along the Outer Banks of North Carolina should monitor the progress of Tropical Depression 8. Additional watches or warnings may be required later today.
Hurricane Watch Issued For Parts Of Florida
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Florida Gulf coast from the Anclote River to Indian Pass. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Florida Gulf coast west of Indian Pass to the Walton/Bay County line.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Interests along the United States east coast from northern Florida through the Carolinas should monitor the progress of this system.
Former Invest 99L, now Tropical Depression Nine, is located about 345 miles west of Key West, Florida, and is moving northwest at 5 mph.
NHC forecasters believe that T.D. 9 will turn toward the north-northwest on Tuesday night. On the projected storm track, Tropical Depression 9 will then turn to the north-northeast on Wednesday.
