Tropical Storm Beryl Pounding South Georgia and North Florida...

The above image was just taken from the Valdosta, GA area doppler radar site. You can see the center of Tropical Storm Beryl located 15 or so miles to the North of Lake City, FL, or about 15 miles South of the Georgia state line.

Widespread reports of 50-60 mph wind gusts continue, primarily on the Eastern side of the system over southeast Georgia and northeast Florida, with widespread downing of trees and power lines.

The other major threat at this time is very heavy rainfall.  Ironically, much of this region is in a severe drought, but anytime you get several inches of rain falling in a short period of time, there will be flash flooding threats.  The image below shows the radar's estimate as to the total precipitation thus far.  The brighter red shadings indicate 4-6 inches of rain, while the yellows indicate 2-4 inches so far:

Isolated tornadoes will also be a threat, primarily with thunderstorms that take place in the upper-right quadrant of the storm (with respect to the location of the center).  In the near term, this will primarily be over the extreme northeast corner of Florida, and southeast Georgia.

For all of the latest satellite and radar imagery, as well as updated track and intensity forecast information throughout the day, please see the dedicated page on Tropical Storm Beryl on our sister site, WeatherGuidance.com.

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Tropical Storm Beryl Continues to Organize; Tropical Storm Force Winds Nearing FL Coast...

Above is a high resolution visible satellite image showing the center of Tropical Storm Beryl at the center of the image. I have placed a red "X" at the center on the same image below for point of reference:

Thunderstorms have continued to develop and organize around the center during the afternoon, particularly within the Northwestern through Southeastern quadrants.  

You can't fully appreciate this visible imagery without seeing it animated.  Please go to this link to view the imagery in motion.  Caution:  it will take awhile for the frames to initially load, especially if you are on a slow internet connection.  The images are updated about every 10 minutes.  Use the "refresh" button on your browser to re-load the latest images (again, it will take awhile to reload each time you do this).

The center of the storm is still on track to make landfall along the Florida coast to the immediate South of the Jacksonville area, in the vicinity of St. Augustine, around Midnight tonight (EDT):

As of the 5pm EDT advisory, maximum sustained winds were estimated near 65 mph, with gusts just over hurricane force likely in stronger squalls.  A Hurricane Hunter aircraft is entering the system right now, and we may have further updates as to wind speed soon.

Tropical storm force wind gusts will spread onshore across northeast Florida shortly, and across adjacent portions of southeast Georgia by mid-evening.  Wind gusts to hurricane force will also be possible in this region.  Based on the current track and the current size of the wind field, the greatest risk of tropical storm force winds with gusts to hurricane force will extend from the Brunswick and St. Simon's Island, Georgia areas, Southward to near Palm Coast, Florida.

For the latest information as well as live satellite, radar and interactive tracking graphics, please see the Tropical Storm Beryl page on WeatherGuidance.com.

For more information, including "live blogging" during rapidly changing weather events, please be sure to follow me on facebook and/or twitter:

 

Tropical Storm Beryl To Make Landfall Late This Evening/Tonight...

The center of (Sub) Tropical Storm Beryl is forecast to make landfall along the southeast Georgia / northeast Florida coastal bend between Midnight and 2am tonight / Monday morning.  This is based on the latest position and expected forward speed throughout the day.

It is important to keep in mind that this is when the center of the storm is forecast to make landfall.  Its effects will be felt across the region in an increasing fashion throughout the day, with respect to winds, rain, wave action and rip currents.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect throughout the region and beach activity is highly discouraged today and tonight.

For all of the latest, including close up views of the Jacksonville, FL and area radars, please go to the WeatherGuidance.com tropical page.  Information will be updated and new content will be added on that page throughout the day.

For more information, including "live blogging" during rapidly changing weather events, please be sure to follow me on facebook and/or twitter:

 

"Subtropical" Storm Beryl Taking Aim on Southeast U.S....

As expected, the system over the southwest Atlantic has reorganized and is now called "Beyrl". Because the system is currently made up of both an upper-level and surface low pressure system, sort of a hybrid, if you will, it has been technically classified as a "subtropical storm".  

This is really a technical/meteorological distinction only, and folks in the path of this system should regard it just as they would any other tropical storm.  As such, all of the watch and warning products issued by the National Hurricane Center are also termed "Tropical Storm" as well.

If you have outdoor plans, especially from the northern Florida coast across the Georgia coast and the South Carolina coast this weekend, please pay very close attention to the progress of this system.

For all of the latest information throughout the holiday weekend, please see the dedicated page on WeatherGuidance.com.

For more information, including "live blogging" during rapidly changing weather events, please be sure to follow me on facebook and/or twitter: