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First Warning Forecast: The tropics could bring us rain and wind for part of the holiday weekend

Posted at 1:18 PM, Aug 31, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-31 14:47:53-04

Tracking rain and wind….The First Warning Storm Team is keeping a close eye on a cold front that will bring rain our way. A little more rain could affect some of us depending on the track of Tropical Storm Hermine.

As we move through our Wednesday, expect a mix of sun and clouds. An isolated shower or storm is possible, but most areas will be dry. High temperatures will be in the mid 80s. Be careful at the beach! There is a high risk of rip currents as Tropical Depression Eight pushes away from the area. Tonight, we’ll see partly cloudy skies. An isolated shower is possible. Low temperatures will be in the mid 70s.

On Thursday, we’ll start the day under a mix of sun and clouds. Then, by afternoon and evening, a cold front will move in from the northwest. That front will bring a few scattered showers and storms our way. Some storms could produce heavy rain. Highs will warm into the mid and upper 80s ahead of the front. Behind the front, we’ll cooler temperatures. In fact, we’re expecting highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s Friday into the weekend.

Let’s talk about the weekend. Right now, we’re not expecting a washout. But our weather will be dependent on the track of Tropical Storm Hermine. The storm will impact northern Florida tomorrow and will move up the southeast coast on Friday. We will see scattered showers/storms, gusty winds and rough surf for Friday evening through the start the weekend.

Today: Partly Cloudy. Isolated Showers/Storms (20%). Highs in the mid to upper 80s. Winds: NE 5-15 mph.

Tonight: Partly Cloudy. Isolated Showers/Storms (20%). Lows in the mid 70s. Winds: E/S 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow: Sun & Clouds. Scattered Showers/Storms (50%). Highs in the mid to upper 80s. Winds: W/N 5-10 mph.

Weather & Health 

Pollen: Moderate-High (Ragweed, Grasses)

UV Index: 8 (Very High)

Air Quality: Moderate (Code Yellow)

Mosquitoes: Extreme

Tropical Update

Tropical Depression 8 continues moving away from the North Carolina coast. TD 8 is centered about 135 miles east of Cape Hatteras and moving NE at 15 mph. This general motion with an increase in forward speed is forecast during the next day or so. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is still possible and the depression could become a tropical storm later today.

Tropical Storm Hermine is about 415 miles WSW of Tampa, Florida and is moving north at 2 mph. A north-northeastward motion is expected later today, and a turn toward the northeast with increasing forward speed is expected on Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Hermine will approach the northwest Florida coast in the warning area on Thursday afternoon.  Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts.  Additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or two, and Hermine could be near hurricane strength by the time landfall occurs.

Hurricane Gaston is 1150 miles west of the central Azores and moving ENE at 15 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph with higher gusts. Gaston is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Hurricane Tracker

 

Today in Weather History (NWS Wakefield)

1983 F2 Tornado: Richmond Co

Dominic Brown
First Warning Meteorologist
WTKR-TV News 3
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