8pm Tropical Storm Imelda Update

At 800 PM EDT (0000 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Imelda was
located near latitude 24.7 North, longitude 77.1 West.  Imelda is
moving toward the north near 9 mph (15 km/h), and a faster northward
motion is expected tonight continuing through Monday.  On Tuesday,
Imelda is expected to turn sharply to the east-northeast.  On the
forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move across
the central and northwestern Bahamas tonight and Monday and then 
turn east-northeastward, moving away from the southeastern U.S. by 
the middle part of this week.
 
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and 
Imelda is forecast to become a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday.
 
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km)
from the center.
 
The minimum central pressure estimated from Air Force and NOAA 
Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations is 998 mb (29.47 inches).
 
 
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Tropical Storm Imelda can be found in the
Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT4 and WMO
header WTNT44 KNHC.
 
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are occuring in the central and
northwestern Bahamas and should continue through Monday morning.
 
RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to produce additional
rainfall of 2 to 4 inches across eastern Cuba and 4 to 8 inches
across the northwest Bahamas through Tuesday.  This rainfall will
likely produce flash and urban flooding.  Mudslides are also 
possible in areas of higher terrain across eastern Cuba.
 
Storm total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with local maxima of 6
inches are expected through Tuesday across coastal South Carolina
into southeast North Carolina. This rainfall could result in
isolated flash, urban, and minor river flooding.
 
For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall and flash flooding
associated with this system, please see the National Weather
Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at
hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?rainqpf and the Flash Flood Risk
graphic at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?ero
 
STORM SURGE: A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1
to 3 feet above ground level along the immediate coast in areas of
onshore winds in the northwestern Bahamas.  Near the coast, the
surge will be accompanied by large waves.
 
Minor coastal flooding is possible in areas of onshore winds over
the Southeastern U.S. coastline. The water could reach the
following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if
the surge occurs over the next several high tide cycles...
 
Volusia/Brevard County Line, Florida to the South Santee River,
South Carolina...1 to 2 ft
 
SURF: Swells generated by Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane
Humberto will affect portions of the Bahamas this weekend, and
spread to much of the east coast of the U.S. early this week. These
swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.