ORLANDO, Fla. — The latest forecasts for Tropical Storm Dorian have the storm impacting Puerto Rico Wednesday and then strengthening possibly to a Category 2 storm as it nears Florida Sunday and Monday.
NEW UPDATES CAN BE FOUND HERE: TS Dorian's rainbands reach Puerto Rico; could intensity as it moves toward Florida
8 a.m. update Wednesday:
Tropical Storm Dorian continues to track toward Puerto Rico at 13 mph with 60 mph winds, according to the 8 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.
The new track continues to show the storm strengthening to a Category 2 storm as it nears Florida on Monday.
5 a.m. update Wednesday:
The 5 a.m. update shows Tropical Storm Dorian has winds of 60 mph, moving northwest at 13 mph toward Puerto Rico.
Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields said the latest tracks give the storm two options: a direct hit to Florida, or curving up to the north toward the Carolinas.
The latest track shows the storm strengthening to a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds as it nears the Florida peninsula on Sunday and into Monday.
NEXT 24 HOURS: @BrianShieldsTV says there are two possible scenarios with #Dorian. Models are still not in full agreement. Next 24 hours will be key. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/fOXxzruUG3
— Racquel Asa (@RAsaWFTV) August 28, 2019
11 p.m. update:
Tropical Storm Dorian hasn't strengthened Tuesday evening, but could intensify as it approaches Puerto Rico Wednesday.
After passing Puerto Rico, and bringing with it a flooding threat, the brush with land may temporarily weaken the storm.
The overall storm track has shifted slightly to the north, and as Dorian emerges over the Atlantic waters, it is forecast to intensify again, this time to a hurricane by the end of the week.
By Sunday, most of the Florida Peninsula is within the cone of uncertainty along with the possibility of a hurricane.
Severe Weather Center 9 is still watching large uncertainties in location and strength of Dorian by Sunday, but your hurricane preparedness plan should be ready. Channel 9 will know more Thursday more of where this storm will track, and how strong it could be.
According to the official track by the National Hurricane Center, Dorian should be entering Puerto Rico by Ponce Wednesday afternoon. It will cross the island diagonally and exit through Aguadilla between 3-5 hours after landfall.
8pm update, Tropical Storm Dorian headed toward Puerto Rico. #WFTV #EyeOnTheTropics pic.twitter.com/WRbHz9hjBi
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) August 28, 2019
It continues to battle the very dry air over the Caribbean. It’s window for intensification is shortening and it will encounter wind shear that will swing a lot of its storms over Puerto Rico. In what condition will it exit the island? We will wait and see.
— Irene Sans (@IreneSans) August 27, 2019
1/n pic.twitter.com/w5s06zSVn7
Still uncertainty as to how strong Dorian will be...but if we are to feel tropical-storm-force winds in Central Florida...this map shows the most likely arrival time of those winds. #WFTV #FLwx #Florida #Orlando #EyeOnTheTropics pic.twitter.com/sgvHU2MQuO
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) August 27, 2019
The cone shows uncertainty. Therefore, it widens w/ time. More time, more uncertainty. See how the margin of error increases. The cone shows where the CENTER is most likely to land. 2/3 lands in cone. But remember impacts go beyond the center of the storm. pic.twitter.com/3MwuJCsJUV
— Irene Sans (@IreneSans) August 27, 2019
UPDATE: NOAA's #GOES16 continues to track #TropicalStormDorian, as it moves through the #LesserAntilles today. @NHC_Atlantic says #TropicalStorm and #hurricane conditions are expected in #PuertoRico & #DomincanRepublic Wednesday night into Thursday. pic.twitter.com/rPpanyhRR5
— NOAA Satellites - Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) August 27, 2019
Local weather: Rain, some strong storms expected in Central Florida
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Follow our Severe Weather team on Twitter for live updates:
- Chief meteorologist Tom Terry
- Brian Shields
- Irene Sans
- Kassandra Crimi
- George Waldenberger
- Rusty McCranie
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