The center of Zeta is located about 295 miles south of New Orleans, LA, or about 410 miles southwest of Pensacola, FL, north at 17 mph.
A turn towards the northeast is forecast on today as a cold front moves into the south and accelerates Zeta towards the Gulf Coast.
Zeta has maximum sustained winds of 90mph (Category1 Hurricane). Additional strengthening is possible, and Zeta is forecast to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane.
FOR OUR REGION –
Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the far western portions of our region (Walton, Holmes, Geneva, Coffee Counties).
We’ll want to pay close attention to any bands on the east side of the storm. These could present a tornado potential this afternoon.
The greatest wind threat will be in the western Panhandle, where wind gusts of 60-70 mph may occur Wednesday night. Sustained winds of 40-50mph are possible in Coffee, Geneva, Holmes, and Walton Counties. Gusts to 50 mph are likely in these areas, particularly in any rain bands that move through late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.
Points in Southeast Alabama and portions of the Eastern Florida Panhandle have a 5 in 10 chance of experiencing sustained tropical storm force winds.
Tropical storm force winds (especially in gusts) are expected to arrive this evening.
Tropical Storm force gusts should subside by midday Thursday.
Further extension of our tropical storm warning area may be necessary later today.
Zeta is expected to be a fast mover, thus heavy rainfall potential is limited.
1 to 2 inches of rain is possible across our western areas with less than an inch of rain elsewhere.
There’s an increased risk for tornadoes across the western half of the region this evening through tonight. The risk for tornadoes will continue during the daytime hours on Thursday across South Georgia and possibly into the Florida Big Bend.
The main threats are for gusty winds and isolated tornadoes.
A Local State of Emergency will be signed later this morning and the EOC will go to a Modified Level 2 at 4:00 pm today.
