9:00 AM CDT ATLANTIC BASIN TROPICAL UPDATE, AUGUST 14, 2004

[vbhoutex]

Hurricane Charley is is located near 32.3N, 79.7W about 35 miles South-Southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Charley continues moving in a North-Northeast direction at around 28 mph and is expected continue this track during the day today with an increase in forward speed. The estimated central pressure of Charley is 993mb or 29.32 inches. Charley's expected track will take him back onshore somewhere between Georgetown, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina later today probably near Paulies Island. He is expected to continue this track all the way up the East coast today and tonight as he continues to interact with the approaching front and transition to an extratropical storm.
Current winds are estimated at 85 mph with higher gusts to the East of the center in some squalls. Hurricane force winds extend 60 miles from the center of Charley and tropical storm force winds extend up to 115 miles from the center. A hurricane warning is in effect from North of Altamaha Sound Georgia to the North Carolina/Virginia state line. These hurricane warnings include ALbermarle and Pamlico Sounds. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the NC/Virginia border Northward to Sandy Hook, New Jersey including all the tidal Potomac, Chesapeake, and Delaware Bays. Tropical Storm watches are also in effect from North of Sandy Hook to the Merrimack River including New York Harbor and Long Island Sound. Storm surge flooding of 6-8 feet can be expected along the South and North Carolina coasts near and to the East of the center where Charley crosses the coast. Additionally a storm surge in the 3-5 foot range can be expected in the remainder of the warned areas. Rainfall of 3-6 inches can also be expected along the path of Charley as he progresses Northward today and could cause life threatening flash flooding in some areas. Isolated tornadoes are also probable in the coastal areas of the Carolinas today. All interests in the warning and watch areas should have preparations completed for a Hurricane completed and closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Charley. ALWAYS FOLLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNELS INSTRUCTIONS FOR EVACUATIONS IF ORDERED.

Tropical Storm Danielle has formed in the far Eastern Atlantic Southwest of the Cape Verde Islands and continues to slowly organize and strengthen. Danielle is expected to respond to a weakness in the sub-tropical ridge to her North and begin to turn to the Northwest as she continues to strengthen to CAT1 hurricane status over the next few days. Dannielle is not expected to affect land areas.

A tropical depression has formed East of the Windward Islands. The center is located near 9.8N, 49.8W. If the current development trend continues Tropical Storm Earle is expected to form from this system later today and watches and warnings will be initiated for portions of the islands. Currently top winds are estimated at 35 mph with higher gusts. Except for the fact future that this system is moving Westward around 20-25 mph all factors point to his continued strengthening possibly to Hurricane status in the Central Caribbean by mid week.

Elsewhere, no tropical cyclone development is not expected in the Atlantic Basin through Sunday.

This is NOT an OFFICIAL product of the NHC. For OFFICIAL products contact the NHC or your local weather offices.

By David Van Bergen(vbhoutex)

[GrimReaper]

Charley has the potential to travel all the way up to the Chesapeake Bay????? Could there be damage?? I never even thought about the house I own, in Annapolis, Md. that is directly on the bay!! I can't believe this storm has the potetial to impact BOTH of my homes!!