strong tropical storm kate and the GOM disturbance

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good morning everyone. The tropics are still busy with a few keys of interests this morning. Tropical storm kate is almost a hurricane at this stage of the game and the Gulf Of Mexico is still being plagued with scattered thunderstorms.

At 11 AM EDT tropical storm Kate is reintensifying and is nearing hurricane strength. At 11 AM EDT the center of tropical storm Kate was located near latitude 32.2 north, longitude 40.2 west or about 1425 miles east of Bermuda. Tropical storm Kate is continuing a westward motion at 12 mph. This motion is expected to continue over the next 24 hours.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph with higher gusts. Satellite imaginary suggest that convection is wrapped around the center and the center is trying to form an eye. Thus further strengthening is indicated during the next 24 hours and Kate could become a hurricane later today or this evening.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles from the center. Minimum central pressure is now 991 mb or 29.26 inches.

Meanwhile in the Gulf Of Mexico, convection continues to be scattered and it not considerably organized enough to be considered a tropical entity as it's attached to a frontal boundary. In other words, it's got more frontal characteristics than tropical characteristics. The good news is Florida is expected to see less rain over the next few days as a disturbance to the northwest of the sunshine state plows the stationary front southward and eastward as a cold front. So finally some drier times in Florida. Hang in there.

Unfortunately the coastal flood threat continues along the south Texas coast. Thus a coastal floo warning an a heavy surf advisory remain in effect today through Thursday from Baffin Bay to the mouth of the Rio Grande River in south Texas. Northeast winds of 20-30 mph with higher gusts are impacting the northwestern Gulf Of Mexico. The persistent northeasterly wind is producing a consistent 6-8 foot swell off the lower Texas coast. This swell is directly impacting the east facing shores of Padre Island from Baffin Bay to the mouth of the Rio Grande river. Tides are running nearly 2.7 feet above mean lower low water this morning. Low tide will occur at 1:25 PM this afternoon. The threat for beach flooding during low tide will be lower. But the rip current threat will remain in place.

The high tides and waves have produced significant coastal flooding and erosion. Park police have repoted flooding over the beaches of Padre Island including South Padre. The strongest northeast winds and high surf will continue to pile up the water into Padre Island through the day Thursday.

A coastal flood warning means coastal flooding is immient or is occuring. It is strongly recommended that no one ventures into the surf zone until this event has subsided. People in the vulnerable areas should immediately move into higher ground. Persons along the coast should safeguard life and property if they haven't done so.

Another update on this coastal flood event coming up later today. Once again Baffin Bay to the mouth of the Rio Grande River is underneath a coastal flood warning.

Jim