MORNING STORM2K TROPICAL UPDATE, AUGUST 29, 2004

[vbhoutex]

Tropical Storm Gaston is landfalling just to the East of Charleston, South Carolina. Official winds with the storm are reported to be 70 mph with higher gusts in squalls mainly to the East of the center. At 8am EDT Gaston was located at Lat. 32.8N, lon. 79.6W or about 25 miles ESE of Charleston, South Carolina. Reports from Storm2k posters near or at landfall have reported winds clocked to 78 mph in the Charleston area. Heavy rains associated with Gaston are expected to be in the be in the 6"-10" range and could cause flooding in areas near the path of Gaston as he moves North across the Carolinas. Gaston's track is expected to continue to the North with an increase in speed over the next 24 hours. Also persons to the North and East of Gaston should be alert to the possibility of tornadoes in some of the stronger squalls passing through their areas. Stormsurge associated with Gaston is expected to be in the 3-5 feet near the landfall of Gaston and 1-3 feet in areas away from landfall.

Hurricane Frances has turned back toward the WNW and is located near lat. 18.6N, lon. 54.1W and continues at a speed of around 9 mph. This position is about 590 miles East of the Northern Lesser Antilles Islands. Currently winds in major Hurricane Frances are estimated at 135 mph with gusts to 160 mph. Since Frances is in an environment conducive to more strengthening, water temperatures near 30ºC and little if any vertical shear, further strengthening is expected and Frances could become a Category 5 hurricane at any time. Currently the central pressure in Hurricane Frances is estimated at 948mb or 27.99". Since Frances has turned back to a more westerly track earlier than expected all interests in the Northeast Caribbean and the Northern Leeward Islands should be closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Frances and be prepared to begin preparations for at least tropical storm strength winds as this dangerous hurricane passes just to the North of the islands. Tropical storm watches may be required later today in the islands if Frances continues on her current Westerly track without any further Northerly component to her track. Hurricane Hunters will be conducting reconnaissance of Frances this afternoon. Current track guidance from most models continues Frances' WNW to Westerly track for the foreseeable future due to the strong subtropical ridge set up to her North.

To the East of TS Gaston another area of low pressure is located about 350 miles WSW of Bermuda. The convection associated with this system continues to be minimal and does not appear to be expanding at this time. However, as the disturbance moves Westerly there is till some potential for development into a tropical depression during the next few days.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin no tropical storm formation is expected through Monday.

This is not an official product. For details of expected effects from tropical systems in your area contact the NHC or your local NWS office.

By David Van Bergen(vbhoutex)

[Cookiely]

Thank you David. I can at least understand what your saying. A lot of the times the official report goes right over my head.