Tropical Storm Arthur Gains Strength, Heavy Rainfall Around Center, Says NASA

Tropical storm Arthur, which is the first named tropical disturbance in this year’s Atlantic Hurricane season is quickly gaining strength. The Inquisitr had earlier reported about the chances of Arthur hitting the Florida coast on July 4. According to a new report by USA Today, Arthur is just 100 miles east of Daytona Beach Florida, as of 11 am Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center has already issued a tropical storm warning that covers all of coastal North Carolina. They have also issued a hurricane watch for select regions jutting out into the Atlantic, threatened by Arthur’s advance.

The USA Today report predicts that as of now, Arthur is likely to remain offshore and pass Florida and move on a northerly direction along the south eastern coast. According to National Weather Service meteorologist Tony Saavedra, Arthur is expected to strengthen into a Hurricane by Thursday and will gradually weaken by Saturday morning. Currently Cape Hatteras, N.C., is predicted to be pounded by heavy showers by Friday, along with sustained winds of up to 85 mph. The NWS also predicts that it will slowly dissipate and make a landfall in Canada’s Maritime Provinces while still continuing to be termed a tropical storm. Currently, Arthur is moving north at a leisurely pace of 7 mph. They also believe that Arthur could develop in to a full-fledged hurricane by mid-night on Thursday.

According to NASA, the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was near latitude 28.8 north and longitude 79.0 west. This is about 100 miles (160 km east-northeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center). Arthur’s center is also 275 miles (445 km) south of Charleston, S. C. NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission or TRMM satellite has sent in data which proves that the area around Arthur’s center is being pounded with heavy rainfall – as of July 1.

Meanwhile, an experimental storm surge map released by the National Weather Service puts several areas in northwest Florida at the risk of flooding by Arthur. Some areas might experience flooding of up to 3 feet while other coastal areas are likely to experience surges of up to 6 feet. They have also issued warnings about the possibility of seas building up significantly with 7 to 12 feet waves.

Warnings have also been issued by the National Weather Service across many coastal towns asking people to stay away from the shore. Boat owners have been asked to start securing their boats as well.

Do you think Arthur is likely to cause any significant damage, and more importantly, are you prepared for it?

[Image Via NASA]