Latest Situation Report
HURRICANE DENNIS: Dennis has rapidly strengthened and is now Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph. Now for some good news: Dennis’ projected track has been moved further to the west significantly reducing the threat to the Tampa Bay Area. As a result of this new track, Hillsborough County is now outside the cone of forecast error (See attached map). However, we still could receive tropical storm force gusts and experience locally heavy rainfall from Dennis’ outer bands that could cause localized flooding. And don’t forget, there is still a degree of uncertainty and the forecast track could change.
A Flood watch has been issued the entire Tampa bay Area, to include Hillsborough County from Saturday Morning to Sunday morning for 3 to 5 inches of rainfall associated with Dennis. Isolated heavier amounts are possible in the more intense rain bands. A flood watch means that flooding is possible within the next 24 to 36 hours.
A Coastal Flood Watch has also been issued for the Tampa Bay Area, to include Hillsborough County, from Saturday to Sunday morning for storm tides of 2 to 4 feet above normal. A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when coastal flooding is possible within 48 hours.
As of 0800 this morning, Dennis is 520 miles Southeast of Tampa moving to the northwest at 18mph. Dennis is now predicted, to make landfall on Sunday afternoon along the Florida/ Alabama border as a strong category 2 Hurricane with 110 mph winds. Beginning Saturday morning, the Tampa Bay Area could experience some squalls with gusts of tropical force winds and localized heavy downpours from Dennis’s outer bands. In addition isolated tornados are possible. Dennis has grown into a large storm; 300 miles in diameter, and the Tampa area could experience Tropical Storm conditions until Sunday afternoon. The Bottom Line is: Dennis has grown into a powerful and dangerous storm. While its more westward track has reduced the threat to Hillsborough County, there is still a degree of uncertainty and my friend Yogi Berra says we better “keep our powder dry.” All concerned agencies should have briefed their key staff to be prepared to react on short notice this weekend.
Yogi Berra quoted in Tampa Bay Dennis update......
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The posts in this forum are NOT official forecasts and should not be used as such. They are just the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. They are NOT endorsed by any professional institution or STORM2K. For official information, please refer to products from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service.
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dixiebreeze
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MannyG
dcuevas wrote:WHAT!!! I don't think anyone really knows where Dennis is going till he makes the turn. Then again maybe I'm wrong.
I know exactly where Dennis is going to turn. Dennis is going to turn around the edge of the high. Just don't ask me where the edge of the high is going to be; I have no clue
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