It is forecast to become at least a Category 2 hurricane prior to landfall along the northern Gulf Coast.
By Andrew Krietz, Natalie Ferrari of 10 Tampa bay
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season continues at what seems like breakneck speed: Tropical Depression 19 has strengthened to become Tropical Storm Sally.
It is a 50-mph storm located about 155 miles west of Port Charlotte, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory. After passing through South Florida on Saturday, the system entered the Gulf of Mexico.
Now moving across warm waters, this will allow the tropical storm to strengthen further in the coming days.
The storm is forecast to eventually decrease in speed and make a northward turn toward the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday. Additional strengthening is expected, the NHC says, and it could become the season’s next hurricane. Winds are forecast to be of at least 100 mph prior to landfall.
Tropical-storm-force winds are extending up to 90 miles outward from Sally’s center, according to the NHC.
A storm surge warning is in effect for:
- Port Fourchon Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border
- Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas and Lake Borgne
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Grand Isle, Louisiana, to the Alabama/Florida border
- Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas, including metropolitan New Orleans
A storm surge watch is in effect for:
- Mississippi/Alabama border to the Alabama/Florida border
A hurricane watch is in effect for:
- East of Ocean Springs to the Alabama/Florida border
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
- East of Ocean Springs to Indian Pass
A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
- Indian Pass to Ochlockonee River, Florida
Tropical Storm Sally is expected to produce 1-3 inches of rainfall across southern and central Florida, with isolated amounts of 6 inches possible, according to the NHC. A tornado or two isn’t out of the question, either, with some of Sally’s outer rainbands. Read more from 10 Tampa Bay
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