THUNDER BAY – Tropical Storm Lee continues to hit the Gulf Coast of the United States with heavy rain. Rainfall warnings are in effect and the slow speed of the storm’s movement is causing greater rainfall amounts. At 400 PM CDT (2100 UTC) the center of Tropical Storm Lee was located by satellite and oil platform observations near latitude 29.4 north/longitude 92.1 West.
Lee is drifting erratically toward the north near 4 mph (6 km/h). A slow and possibly erratic motion toward the north or north-northwest is expected during the next 24 hours, followed by a turn toward the northeast. On the forecast track, the center of Lee is expected to cross the Louisiana coast later this afternoon or eveningand then move slowly across southern Louisiana on Sunday.
Tropical Storm Lee is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches from the central Gulf Coast northward into the Tennessee Valley, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches through Sunday. These rains are expected to cause extensive flooding and flash flooding.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Destin Florida westward to Sabine Pass Texas, including the city of New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain, and Lake Maurepas
Maximum sustained winds remain near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in strength are possible this afternoon and tonight, with gradual weakening forecast to occur by Sunday afternoon.
There has been a change in the Atlantic, Katia sparring with strong upper-level winds has been knocked down to a tropical storm for the second time. This storm as of 5PM AST (2100UTC) is now located at 19.9n; 56.8w or about about 430 miles (690 km) ENE of the northern Leeward Islands. Tropical Storm Katia now has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h).
The Tropical Storms present movement is WNW or 300 degrees at 10 mph (17 km/h).
Fluctuations in intensity are possible over the next day or so, and Katia could re-strengthen back to a hurricane at any time.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) from the center.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 993 mb…29.32 inches.
Right now, the hazards impacting land include surf and swells which are affecting the Lesser Antilles, and could begin to affect Bermuda by tonight or Sunday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
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