Thursday, August 21, 2008
Posted at 5:13 PM
Fay pushing inland--but bringing more bad weather inland
Fay has started it's westward motion, but this has brought the persistent rainband that has been on its south side towards inland sections. Storm total amounts across some interior sections are building to 6-8 inches. As a result, flooding rains can be expected across parts of the interior from southeast Volusia across Seminole county, into Lake county and northern Orange county. Gusty winds are also occurring in this rainband with some of the squalls producing winds of 50 to 55 mph.
The rainband will also affect south Lake county and metro Orlando, but storm total amounts there have been much lower, but street flooding can be expected to increase.
Posted by Randy LascodyPosted at 2:53 PM
Fay starting to push back onshore
Latest radar loops showed that the center of Tropical Storm Fay was pushing into the coast near the Volusia/Flagler county line. A persistent band of rainfall continues along it's south flank, mainly from north Lake county across Seminole county and into southeast Volusia county. Rainfall amounts in this band have generally been 1 to 2 inches, with locally higher amounts from Oak Hill to Apollo Beach. The center of Fay is expected to continue shifting to the west, so this band of moderate/heavy rainfall should perisist in nearly the same location through late afternoon. An areal flood warning continues and considerable street flooding is expected. Expect detours and delays if traveling in these areas.
Some glimpses of sunshine were occurring south of Orlando to Okeechobee. This resulted in enough heating to redevelop bands of showers with fast moving cells producing heavy downpours and gusts of 40 to 50 mph. A few cells have exhibited broad rotation but not enough to warrant tornado warnings. Rainfall amounts in these areas have not been high, but a few training echoes have produced Doppler radar rainfall estimates near 2 inches.
Posted by Randy LascodyPosted at 12:33 PM
Center of Fay drifiting northwest off far north Volusia
Recent radar loops are showing a slow northwest motion of the center of Tropical Storm Fay just offshore north Volusia or Flagler county. The rainfall bands on the west and southwest sides of the center will continue to affect areas from north Lake county across Seminole county to around Cape Canaveral. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are possible, which will continue to lead to street flooding problems in many locations. Wind gusts in these squalls will continue at 30-40 mph, with a few gusts to around 45 mph.
Some glimpses of sunshine was occurring south of Orlando to Okeechobee. This will result in enough heating to redevelop bands of showers with fast moving cells producing heavy downpours and gusts of 30-40 mph. Rainfall amounts in these areas are not expected to be high, unless training of radar echoes develops, then some heavy rainfall totals over 2 or 3 inches could occur.
Posted by Randy LascodyPosted at 10:44 AM
Edited on: Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:55 AMFay not changing much
In the late morning update for Tropical Storm Fay, the National Hurricane Center indicates there is little change. The center of the system was remaining nearly stationary along the northern Volusia county coast. Squalls continued to rotate around the center and radar/satellite shows that the strongest convection is occurring over the coastal waters. Rainbands on the west and south side of the system have generally been producing moderate rainfall amounts this morning with the highest amounts in the last 3 hours in the 1-2 inch range, mainly from eastern Orange county across north Brevard.
Several roads remain closed in Brevard county, so any additional rainfall will slow the drainage of these problem areas.
Anyone driving today should be prepared for detours and standing water on roadways.
The squalls have been producing wind gusts of 30-40 mph, with a few spots up to 45 mph. Buoy 41009 has had wind gusts to around 45 knots this morning.
Into early this afternoon, the weather you have been experiencing for the past several hours will be what you continue to receive. Some daytime heating across the far south may enhance the intensity of squalls. If training of cells develops there, localized flooding may occur.
Posted by Randy LascodyPosted at 8:48 AM
Edited on: Thursday, August 21, 2008 8:52 AMCenter of Fay Moving Little off Volusia County
Early morning visible satellite and radar data show the center of Fay just offshore Volusia county and there has been little movement in the past few hours.
Buoy reports continue to show tropical storm force winds. Wind gusts of 55-65 mph occurred near Ormond by the Sea around 7 am. Occasional reports of gusts to 35-40 mph were also occurring well inland from Sanford to Orlando, mainly in gusts associated with rainbands.
The heavy rainfall band that was over south Brevard about 24 hours ago is now further north and affecting parts of central and north Brevard. Some moderate rainfall amounts were also occurring from Sanford into eastern Orange county. Additional totals through the morning hours may reach 2-3 inches in north Brevard and 1-2 inches in Seminole and Orange counties.
There continue to be road closures in Brevard, mainly on secondary roads. If travel is planned, be prepared for detours. A flood warning remains in effect until noon.
Posted by Randy Lascody