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Tropical Storm Claudette develops and strengthens in the eastern Gulf of Mexico

Johnny Kelly's photo
Jackson Weather Examiner

After getting off to a slow start, the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season has really ramped up with the development of not one, not two, but three tropical storms, in 48 hours.

Both Tropical Storm Ana and Tropical Storm Bill, would form on Saturday, with the latest tropical storm, developing today, Tropical Storm Claudette.

Tropical depression 4, developed earlier this morning and quickly intensified by the afternoon into Tropical Storm Claudette.

Claudette was located 40 miles south of Apalachicola, Florida, moving northwest near 14 mph, with winds near 50 mph.

Further strengthening is possible as the storm approaches the Florida Panhandle.

Tropical storm force winds extended outward 70 miles from the center.

Tropical Storm Claudette is expected to make landfall tonight between Santa Rosa Beach and Apalachicola, Florida.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from the Alabama and Florida state line eastward to Suwannee River, Florida.

(A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area, within 24 hours.)

Three to five inches of rainfall, with isolated amounts of 10 inches across portions of North Florida, are expected near the path of the center.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 3-5 feet above normal tide levels, can be expected, near and to the east of where the center makes landfall.  (The Big Bend Region, Southern Alabama, and Southwestern Georgia)

Also, isolated tornadoes are possible across the Florida Panhandle, South and Central Alabama, and Southern Georgia, if feeder bands setup across these areas, tonight and on Monday.

The tropical storm will weaken as it tracks to the northwest, later tonight across South Central Alabama, into Northeastern Mississippi on Monday.

***Tropics very active***

Current Atlantic Basin Satellite Loop

 
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, Jackson Weather Examiner

Johnny's meteorological education allows him to interpret trends, understand the weather of yesterday, describe the weather of today, and predict the weather of tomorrow. He constantly promotes weather awareness.

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