Tropical Storm Elsa Expected To Move Near Lower Florida Keys On Tuesday
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to move near the lower Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas on Tuesday.
As of 11 p.m. Monday, Elsa was about 80 miles south-southwest of Key West.
The storm's sustained winds were back up to 60 mph with higher gusts as it moved toward the north-northwest near 12 mph.
This general motion is expected to continue Monday night and Tuesday morning, followed by a turn toward the north on Tuesday night.
A north-northeastward motion is expected on Wednesday.
On the forecast track, Elsa will move across the Florida Straits tonight and pass near the Florida Keys early Tuesday.
Elsa is then forecast to move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida by late Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday.
Some additional strengthening is forecast on Tuesday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:
- West coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to the Aucilla River including Tampa Bay
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- The Cuban provinces of Matanzas, Mayabeque, Havana, and Artemisa
- The Florida Keys from Craig Key westward to the Dry Tortugas
- West coast of Florida from Flamingo northward to Ochlockonee River
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:
- West of the Aucilla River to the Ochlockonee River
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- West of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass, Florida
Rainfall from Elsa will impact portions of the Florida Keys, the Florida Peninsula and the coastal Southeast this week. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches, with areas getting up to 8 inches, are expected across Florida and coastal Georgia through Wednesday.
