UPDATED at 7:55p.m. with 8 p.m. NHC Report
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Tropical Depression 13 is likely to become Tropical Storm “Laura” on Friday and is now forecast to become a hurricane by the time it hits Florida on Monday. Keep in mind, this is a very early forecast based on National Hurricane Center data released at 8 p.m. on Thursday. The cone can change. The track can change. The storm is currently disorganized, according to the NHC.
If forecasters are correct based on the current track and speed projection, what will likely be Hurricane Laura will hit South Florida mid-day Monday with hurricane-strength winds — somewhere between 74 and 110 miles per hour. It is still much too soon to know if South Florida will be on the periphery or sustain a true hit.
The map is current as of 8 p.m. The forecast is current as of 8 p.m.
BULLETIN Tropical Depression Thirteen Intermediate Advisory Number 4A NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132020 800 PM AST Thu Aug 20 2020 ...INITIAL REPORTS FROM A NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT THE DEPRESSION IS NOT WELL ORGANIZED... SUMMARY OF 800 PM AST...0000 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...17.0N 55.5W ABOUT 505 MI...815 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 21 MPH...33 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1009 MB...29.80 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra * U.S. Virgin Islands * British Virgin Islands * Saba and St. Eustatius * St. Maarten * St. Martin and St. Barthelemy * Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of this system, as additional tropical storm watches or warnings will be required for portions of those areas later today. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 800 PM AST (0000 UTC), the center of poorly organized Tropical Depression Thirteen was located near latitude 17.0 North, longitude 55.5 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 21 mph (33 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue for the next few days. On the forecast track, the depression is expected to move near or north of the northern Leeward Islands by late Friday, near or north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Saturday, and near or north of Hispaniola Saturday night. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm on Friday. The estimated minimum central pressure based on NOAA Hurricane Hunter data is 1009 mb (29.80 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- RAINFALL: The depression is expected to produce 1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 5 inches over the northern Leeward Islands, and maximum totals of 3 to 6 inches over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through Sunday. WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area late Friday and Saturday.
