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Tracking Tropical Storm Hermine

Jackson Dill
Aug 31, 2016
2 min read

We continue to track newly named Tropical Storm Hermine, which was Tropical Depression Nine, in the Gulf of Mexico.

As this storm moves northeast over the very warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it will strengthen, so the question is if it will be a tropical storm or hurricane at landfall. With these warm waters and favorable conditions, there is the chance that this storm rapidly intensifies, so if you live in the affected parts of Florida, you need to be prepared!

Because of this uncertainty, the National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch for parts of the western and northern Florida coasts. This means that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.

They have also issued Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings, which continue to expand, because tropical storm conditions are expected in these areas.

The National Hurricane Center has also issued a Storm Surge Warning for the same areas under the Hurricane Watch. A Storm Surge Warning indicates that life-threatening inundation is possible somewhere within the specified area, generally within 36 hours.

Now looking at the forecast cone, you can see Tropical Storm Hermine strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico, then making landfall on the Big Bend of Florida Thursday night as a 70 mph tropical storm, but that intensity can certainly change. It may be weaker or it can possibly be a weak hurricane.

Heavy rain and flooding is expected as well with this system like with all other tropical systems. Over a foot of rainfall is possible in localized coastal locations. Otherwise, many areas along the coast are forecast to get up to eight inches of rainfall. This will lead to flooding.

After the landfall in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas will deal with some heavy rain and strong, gusty winds through Saturday morning. Following that, Southern New England will actually have to stay updated with this storm. Right now, the National Hurricane Center has parts of the Northeast in the cone.