Tropical Storm Ana –

Tropical Storm Ana formed out of the remnants of Tropical Depression # 2. This area of low pressure is continuing to further develop and is moving westerly at approximately 15 miles per hour. The central winds in this moderately compact storm are currently at 42 MPH with higher gusts to near 60 mph. Persons with interests in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean Sea should monitor this storm’s progress for Sunday – into Monday, August 16-17. This storm will increase in it’s current intensity as it gets into the warmer waters of the Caribbean. The projected track at this time takes it very near to southern Florida on Wednesday into Thursday, August 19-20. Additional updates on Tropical Storm Ana will be posted as conditions warrant.

We are also carefully watching a rapidly developing Tropical low pressure area which is currently 500 miles west-southwest of the Azores. This storm is farther to the south than Tropical Storm Ana and is in an area where abundant moisture for thunderstorm development is present. There is also very little upper level wind shear at this time which may allow this Tropical low to intensify quickly. This Tropical low has the track potential to be near the southern Gulf of Mexico by the weekend of August 21-23, although there are several variables which may affect this storm system as it approaches the central Caribbean. We are monitoring this situation as well and will update information as necessary.

There is also a Tropical wave approaching the Florida Keys at this hour with significant rainfall and gusty winds. This area will cross into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico later today on a northwesterly track, and persons along the west coast of Florida, southern Alabama and Mississippi can expect occasional thunderstorm activity over the next few days.

For official updates, please refer to:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

==================================================

“THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL ADVISORY. These updates and advisories are based upon information from our own computer models, NOAA, Local Weather Data Centers, deep water Buoy Data, and other publicly available sources. FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR PROPERTY AND PERSON, please refer to your Local, State, and Federal Authority updates for Official Advisories and Orders. For up to the minute advisories and official updates, it is essential that you monitor your local Emergency Government, NOAA and Local Media Broadcasts. Please do not make personal safety decisions based upon information presented here in this Unofficial Advisory.”

==================================================