8/28/2020 11 AM:
Historic Laura is no more. NHC issued the last advisory this morning. The remnant low pressure will move across the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic through Saturday before moving off the Atlantic coast late Saturday into Sunday. There could be some restrengthening as it joins up with some jet stream energy over the north Atlantic, but history has been written and now Laura is officially in the history books. This will be the last update on this storm.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/27/2020 11 PM:
Laura continues to weaken but will spread rain through the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic through the early part of the weekend.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/27/2020 1 PM:
Laura is now down to a tropical storm with winds of 70 mph. The center is located near Farmerville LA just north of I-20. The center will move into Arkansas shortly with further weakening through today and tonight.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/27/2020 8 AM:
Laura continues to weaken and now has maximum sustained winds near 100 mph with higher gusts. Rapid weakening is forecast, and Laura is expected to become a tropical storm later today. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.
An observing site in Alexandria, Louisiana, recently reported a wind gust to 74 mph. The estimated minimum central pressure is 970 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/27/2020 7 AM:
Laura now has winds of 110mph and has weakened to a Category 2 storm.
Beauregard Regional Airport in De Ridder, Louisiana recently reported a wind gust of 82 mph. An NWS RAWS site at Lacassine, Louisiana recently reported a wind gust of 85 mph.
Acadiana Regional Airport reported a wind gust of 76 mph within the past 30 minutes.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/27/2020 5 AM:
Laura still a major hurricane as it moves north of I-10 in Southwestern Louisiana.
Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph with higher gusts. Laura is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Rapid weakening is forecast, and Laura is expected to become a tropical storm later today. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km). An observation in Chennault, Louisiana, recently reported sustained winds of 76 mph and a wind gust of 93 mph. The estimated minimum central pressure is 948 mb.
An unofficial observation of 948 mb was recently measured in the eye of Laura.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/27/2020 1 & 2 AM:
*LANDFALL IS OFFICIAL* near Cameron LA at 2 AM EDT
Laura's northern eyewall is now moving ashore. with Cameron LA in the eye now. Damaging winds are now heading into Lake Charles and they should see the strongest winds by 230 AM. Winds remain at 150 mph.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/26/2020 11 PM:
The storm has strengthened through the evening with winds up to 150 mph. It appears that intensification has leveled off and it is on track to make landfall as a Category 4, one of the strongest to hit Louisiana. The forecast remains on track for it to head inland across LA through Thursday morning then into Arkansas Thursday afternoon as a strong tropical storm. Rainfall 8-12", isolated tornadoes east and north of the center and wind damage can be expected with the storm as it moves inland.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/26/2020 5 PM:
Laura's winds have increased even more with winds up to 150 mph. 155 is possible before landfall later tonight. Catastrophic damage expected.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/26/2020 5 PM:
Laura's winds have increased even more with winds up to 145 mph. The storm will likely remain this strong as it approaches the coast in a few hours. The storm will maintain hurricane strength as far north as I-20, with tropical storm conditions likely in Arkansas. Storm surge will be at least 15 ft, with some areas in Cameron Parish seeing surge heights around 20 ft. Tornadoes wind damage well inland and flash flooding will be likely through eastern Texas, western Louisiana, and into Arkansas.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/26/2020 2 PM:
Laura is now a Cat 4 with winds of 140 mph. Catastrophic damage is expected in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana from a historic storm surge and extreme winds in the eyewall. Landfall still expected later tonight.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/26/2020 11 AM:
Laura is turning into a monster hurricane with winds now up to 125. More strengthening is expected and it will likely be a Cat 4 at landfall with a devastating storm surge along the SW LA coast. The surge will end up being 15-20 ft in some areas. Extreme wind damage can be expected near the coast with damage expected well inland into eastern Texas, western Louisiana, extreme southeast Oklahoma and southwest Arkansas. Rainfall exceeding 10" will be likely, along with a tornado threat with rain bands north and east of the center.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/26/2020 8 AM:
Data from NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph with higher gusts. Laura is a dangerous category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, and is forecast to continue strengthening into a category 4 hurricane later today. Rapid weakening is expected after Laura makes landfall. Laura is a now large hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm- force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.
Buoy 42395, located just east of Laura's eye, recently reported a sustained wind of 74 mph (119 km/h) and a wind gust of 107 mph (172 km/h) and a wave height of 37 feet (11 meters). The latest minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA and Air Force reconnaissance aircraft data is 963 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/26/2020 5 AM:
Hurricane Laura is a strong category 2 hurricane and is now forecast to be catastrophic category 4 at landfall on the Louisiana coast.
The National Hurricane Center is warning east Texas and Louisiana of life threatening storm surge, extreme winds and flash flooding.
The hurricane continues to rapidly intensify over the extremely warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Satellite data indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 110 mph with higher gusts. Laura is forecast to become a category 4 hurricane today, and is expected to be a major hurricane at landfall. Rapid weakening is expected after Laura makes landfall.
Laura is becoming a large hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 973 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/26/2020 2 AM:
Laura's winds are now up to 105 mph as rapid intensification is underway. More intensification will occur overnight and Wednesday and Laura is expected to become a major hurricane by landfall in 24 hours.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/25/2020 11 PM:
Laura is strengthening with winds up to 90 mph and the pressure down to 978 mb. Significant strengthening is expected and Laura will likely become a Category 2 hurricane Wednesday morning and Category 3 by Wednesday evening. A storm surge in excess of 12 ft is expected along the SW coast of LA. The storm will bring damaging winds well inland across east TX/LA southeast OK and southern Arkansas through Thursday as well as flooding and isolated tornadoes.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/25/2020 8 PM:
NOAA Hurricane Hunters find Laura's winds are now 85 mph with the pressure down to 983 mb. A period of more rapid intensification may be underway.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/25/2020 5 PM:
Laura is strengthening with winds now up to 80 mph. The forecast remains on track for it to make landfall along the LA/TX border late Wednesday night or early Thursday. Depending on the strength at landfall, the storm will be moving fast enough to bring damaging winds well inland, possibly up to I-20 around Shreveport and tropical storm force winds into southern and western Arkansas. This is assuming the storm makes landfall as a major hurricane. Storm surge will exceed 10 feet along the LA coast, with some areas seeing a 13 ft surge in SW LA. Rainfall will exceed 10" in some areas, but fortunately, unlike Harvey, this storm is moving and won't dump 40" of rain. Wind and surge will be the biggest hazards with this storm.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/25/2020 11 AM:
Not much has changed since this morning. The storm looks more organized on satellite and the track brings it into southwest LA or southeast TX late Wednesday or early Thursday. Significant intensification is still expected with the only mitigating factor being a patch of dry air aloft to the west of the storm. Shear will be light and the storm is expected to develop enough of a moisture envelope to resist any ingestion of dry air that could halt intensification. Southwesterly shear will increase as it nears the coast, but shouldn't be enough to make a difference in time for landfall. BIG storm surge is expected with this storm, potentially rivaling what as seen with past storms like Ike (2008) and Rita (2005).
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/25/2020 8:15 AM:
Laura has become a hurricane this morning as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico.
NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft data records maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, with higher gusts.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/25/2020 5 AM:
Laura is expected to become a hurricane later on today and is now forecast to a major hurricane as it makes landfall near the Texas/Louisiana border later Wednesday into Thursday.
Laura is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph and this general motion should continue today. A turn toward the northwest is forecast by Wednesday, and a northwestward to north-northwestward motion should continue through Wednesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move away from Cuba and over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico this morning. Laura is then forecast to move over the central and northwestern Gulf of Mexico tonight and Wednesday, approach the Upper Texas and Southwest Louisiana coasts on Wednesday night and move inland near those area on Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds remain 65 mph with higher gusts. Significant strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Laura is now expected to be a major hurricane at landfall.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 995 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/24/2020 11 PM:
Laura is strengthening and expected to become a major hurricane by landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday near Sabine Pass TX near the Louisiana border. The storm has the potential to bring a significant storm surge to southeast Texas and southern Louisiana up to 11 feet in some areas. There is still the chance of a track shift to the west but the most likely area for landfall will be across southeast Texas in Jefferson County and Cameron Parish LA.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/24/2020 5 PM:
Laura continues west and will move in the Gulf by Tuesday. More significant strengthening is expected over the next two days before making landfall in LA on Wednesday. There is a chance that we could see more significant strengthening than forecast and it is possible that we could see it intensify to Cat 3 or Cat 4 status as it approaches the LA/TX coast. The conditions will be ideal for a couple of days for rapid strengthening.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/24/2020 11 AM:
Laura is avoiding Cuba for the moment, with the center just off the southern coast. It is expected to move over the Gulf Tuesday, with strengthening likely. It may reach Cat 2 status before landfall near Cameron LA on Wednesday night.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/24/2020 8 AM:
NOAA and Air Force Reconnaissance Aircraft find Laura moving WNW just south of the coast of Central Cuba. Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected, and Laura is forecast to become a hurricane by early Tuesday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/24/2020 5 AM:
Satellite data indicate that Laura has moved back over the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. Modest northerly vertical wind shear has kept the bulk of the deep convection displaced to the south of Laura's center of circulation. Since Laura's center is expected to remain over water just south of Cuba, there is the possibility that some slight strengthening could occur today or tonight before the storm reaches the Gulf of Mexico in 24 hours. After that, Laura will be moving over the very warm and deep waters of Gulf Stream and Loop Current located over the southeastern Gulf, which could trigger a brief period of rapid intensification as it heads toward the Gulf Coast.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/23/2020 11 PM:
Laura has strengthened slightly over southern Cuba with winds up to 65 mph and will move into the Gulf Tuesday. Still expected to make landfall as a Cat 2 near Lafayette LA on Wednesday.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
Laura is moving over Mexico and will drench the country overnight. It will enter the Gulf by Tuesday and is forecast to strengthen to a Cat 2.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/23/2020 5 pm:
Laura has strengthened as it heads toward Cuba. More significant strengthening is expected when it heads into the Gulf by mid-week. Nothing has changed since the previous update...landfall expected along the TX/LA border late Wed. to early Thu.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/23/2020 11 AM:
Tropical Storm Laura is surviving the trip over the mountainous terrain of the Greater Antilles and is currently over Haiti and moving toward eastern Cuba later on today.
Recent data from a NOAA reconnaissance aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. The strongest winds are primarily occurring over water to the northeast of the center. Little change in strength is forecast while Laura moves near Cuba. Strengthening is forecast after the storm moves over the Gulf of Mexico, and Laura is forecast to become a hurricane late Tuesday or Tuesday night. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/23/2020 5 AM:
Laura's winds are still at 45 mph and its headed WNW @ 18 with the center over Haiti. It will move over the spine of Cuba during the day Monday then enter the Gulf Tuesday morning where it will have 2 days to intensify over the Gulf.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/23/2020 5 AM:
Laura continues to soak the Dominican Republic and Haiti this morning. Winds are around 45 mph. Movement is still WNW at 18. The forecast track has shifted west even more with landfall expected over southwest LA by Thursday morning as a Category 2. The more western track gives it more time over water, increasing the chance for more strengthening. More slight adjustments westward are possible. Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Keys and Dry Tortugas.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/22/2020 11PM:
Laura has maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph as it moves toward the west-northwest near 16 mph and a this general motion is expected over the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move across Hispaniola tonight and early Sunday, near or over Cuba Sunday and Monday, and over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Monday night and Tuesday.
No significant changes in strength are forecast during the next 36 to 48 hours while Laura moves near or over Hispaniola and Cuba. Strengthening is forecast once Laura moves into the Gulf of Mexico Monday night and Tuesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/22/2020 8 PM:
Laura continues to bring flooding rain to Puerto Rico and is headed into the Dominican Republic. The storm is moving toward the west near 18 mph, and a generally west-northwestward motion is expected over the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move across Hispaniola tonight and early Sunday, near or over Cuba Sunday and Monday, and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Monday night and Tuesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. No significant changes in strength are forecast during the next 48 hours while Laura moves near or over Hispaniola and Cuba. Strengthening is forecast once Laura moves into the Gulf of Mexico Monday night and Tuesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/22/2020 5 PM:
Puerto Rico is experiencing flooding rainfall and gusty winds...storm is now headed to the Dominican Republic. Forecast track remains mostly unchanged, bypassing Florida to the southwest and entering the Gulf. Strengthening is expected to hurricane status before landfall in southern Louisiana on Wednesday. Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for the Florida Keys.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/22/2020 2 PM:
Eastern sections of Puerto Rico are getting blasted with torrential rainfall and gusty winds at this time. Winds remain around 45 mph headed WNW. Center of circulation is close to moving onshore between Playita and Jobos.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/22/2020 12 PM:
Winds have increased to 45 based on the latest data. The center is about to move onshore near Central Aguirre and Coqui with Jobos, Corazon, Guayama and Arroyo on the east side of the circulation. Very heavy rainfall and gusty winds, along with flash flooding can be expected for much of Puerto Rico today.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/22/2020 11 AM:
Laura continues west and is centered near Puerto Rico. It will move over the DR, Haiti, and Cuba through Monday, before emerging in the Gulf by Tuesday. It is being steered by the large and strengthening Bermuda High over the western Atlantic. This is what will keep the storm from turning north in the near-term. The storm also will likely not intensify much due to interaction with land over the next couple of days. By the time it makes it to the Gulf, the environment will support strengthening as it heads toward the LA coast. The storm should remain far enough south of our area to prevent us from seeing any significant impacts. We will see an increase in moisture on Monday as it bypasses the area, and perhaps a slight increase in the easterly winds, but I do not expect impacts here.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/22/2020 8 AM:
Tropical Storm Laura continues to be disorganized this morning near eastern Puerto Rico. Laura is moving toward the west near 21 mph, and a generally west-northwestward motion is expected over the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move near Puerto Rico this morning, near or over Hispaniola this afternoon and tonight, and near or over eastern Cuba Sunday and Sunday night.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is expected during the next few days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles mainly to the north of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure based on surface observations is 1006 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/22/2020 5 AM:
This morning the center of Tropical Storm was located just southeast of Puerto Rico and is moving toward the west near 21 mph and a generally west-northwestward motion is expected over the next few days. On the current forecast track, the center of Laura will move near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this morning, near or over Hispaniola this afternoon and tonight, and near or over eastern Cuba Sunday and Sunday night.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph and even though the storm is disorganized this morning some slow strengthening is expected during the next few days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles mainly to the north of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure based on surface observations is 1007 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/21/2020 11 PM:
Hurricane hunters find Laura disorganized. The track continues to shift west and with land interaction, this trend will continue....weaker storm headed west. This puts SWFL in a position to be less likely to see significant impacts from the storm. It is still expected to head toward the northern Gulf by the middle of next week.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
Facebook LIVE:
8/21/2020 8 PM:
No changes from the 5 PM Advisory. New full advisory at 11 PM.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/21/2020 5 PM:
Forecast track continues to shift west as with the latest models continuing with a strong Bermuda Ridge and a weaker system. This allows for a more westward track, with the forecast cone now almost totally out of SWFL. It is still too early to say what the impacts will be here in SWFL despite this westward shift. A storm of large size could potentially bring tropical-storm force winds to a portion of SWFL even with a track this far west. Areas of rain and thunderstorms with the possibility of isolated tornadoes are not totally out of the question later Monday as the storm bypasses the area. Any track farther south and west will lessen the chances for seeing much of anything and that is a VERY REAL possibility. Right now significant impacts are not expected in our area based on the latest forecast track. We will keep you updated!
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/21/2020 2 PM:
Tropical Storm Laura continues west with winds at 45 and pressure at 1007 mb. Forward speed s W @ 18. Full advisory comes up at 5 pm.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/21/2020 11 AM:
Tropical Storm Laura continues to move rapidly west at 18 mph and a generally west-northwestward motion at a faster forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move near or over the northern Leeward Islands later today, near or over Puerto Rico Saturday morning, and near the northern coast of Hispaniola late Saturday and early Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles from the center. The minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations is 1007 mb.
The forecast track has been adjusted a little farther to the south and to the west once it enters the Gulf of Mexico due to the center of Tropical Storm Laura being found farther to the south by the Hurricane Hunters this morning. It is still too early to tell the exact impacts this storm could potentially have here in Southwest Florida. Stay with Fox 4 for the latest.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
8/21/2020 9:30 AM SPECIAL OUTLOOK:
Tropical Depression Thirteen has strengthened and is now Tropical Storm Laura with maximum sustained winds of around 45 mph. Hurricane hunters found that the center of Laura is located south of the previously estimated position. These changes will be reflected in the track and intensity forecasts with the upcoming advisory that will be issued at 11:00 a.m.
8/21/2020 8 AM:
Tropical Depression Thirteen is less than 300 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands. The system continues to look disorganized with maximum sustained winds at 35 mph. No much has changed from the advisory earlier this morning. Also, Southwest Florida is still in the forecast cone as the storm is expected to be in our area by Monday.
8/21/2020 5 AM:
Tropical Depression Thirteen still remains very disorganized this morning. The storm still doesn't have a well-organized center, but it is still expected to strengthen within the next two days. The new track has shifted slightly south, so we'll have to watch how it interacts with dry air and the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola and Cuba. After that, the storm is forecast to become a hurricane once it hits the Gulf of Mexico. Newest models show the system will be JUST south of Southwest Florida by Monday, however, our area remains in the forecast cone. Since there has been so much uncertainty with the models, it is best to dust off your hurricane plan and prepare for possible wind damage and flooding.
8/20/2020 11 PM:
TD 13 is still struggling with dry air and shear and hasn't strengthened. Hurricane hunters cannot find a closed area of low pressure this evening but strengthening is expected as it heads into the southern Bahamas. The storm will move through the Keys and bypass SWFL by Monday as a strengthening tropical storm. The intensity forecast is still uncertain and impacts to southwest Florida are still in question. Based on this track, heavy rainfall, gusty winds and a tornado threat will be possible into Monday for SWFL. Coastal flooding will also be a problem. We still have a few days to watch it as the storm tracks west.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/20/2020 5 PM:
TD 13 hasn't changed intensity and continues west. Forecast track still brings the storm close to SWFL by Monday with the potential for at least tropical storm conditions across the area as early as Sunday night and continuing through Tuesday morning. There is still a high amount of uncertainty as to how the storm will evolve in the coming days. The potential for land interaction with the Greater Antilles is the biggest wild card. The shear environment doesn't look to be as unfavorable as it was with Isaias.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/20/2020 11 AM:
NHC is now forecasting T.D. 13 to become Laura by Friday with strengthening expected as it heads toward South Florida by early next week. There is still some uncertainty in the forecast, both in the track and the intensity. Prepare for at least strong tropical storm-force winds by early next week based on the latest track.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
8/20/2020 8 AM:
The latest intermediate advisory doesn't show much of a change in the forecast cone. Tropical Depression #13 is about 830 miles ESE of the Northern Leeward Islands. The storm is expected to be north of Puerto Rico on Saturday. We could start to feel the impacts of the storm by Monday, but the intensity of the storm as it inches closer to Florida remains uncertain. Tropical storm watches are now issued for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten
8/20/2020 5 AM:
Tropical Depression #13 is about 900 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands. The storm is moving quickly west-northwest at about 21 mph, and it is expected to become a tropical storm later today. The next name on the list is Laura. The storm is expected to stay on this track for the next few days. By Saturday, the storm should be near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm has the potential to impact Florida Monday, however, it's still too early to know the intensity of the storm by then. You should still expect heavy rainfall, possible flooding and at least tropical storm force winds.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
FIRST UPDATE 8/19/20 11 PM
Tropical Depression #13 has formed in the Atlantic just east of the Lesser Antilles. The is moving quickly west at 20 mph and will strengthen into a tropical storm (Laura) by Thursday. Slow strengthening is expected as it cruises west and is expected to approach the Florida Straits by later Sunday. The storm will then potentially affect South Florida during the day Monday. It is still too early to say what the eventual impacts will be felt here, but I would definitely plan on the potential for at least strong tropical storm force winds, heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding and isolated tornadoes as the storm leaves the area later Monday into Tuesday. Timing will likely change in the coming days so keep it tuned here for the latest updates.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
