Slow-moving Tropical Storm “Julia” forms along Florida’s northeast coast

Tropical Storm "Julia" has formed along Florida's northeast coast around 03:00 UTC on September 14, 2016. Julia is a slow-moving storm expected to produce heavy rainfall over the southeastern US this week. 

At 06:00 UTC on September 14 (02:00 EDT), the center of Tropical Storm "Julia" was located about 25 km (15 miles) NNW of Jacksonville, Florida and 85 km (50 miles) SSW of Brunswick, Georgia. The system is moving NNW near 13 km/h (8 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue, NHC said. The estimated minimum central pressure was 1 011 hPa.

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida northward to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.

Video courtesy Live Storms Media (via StormWall)

Maximum sustained winds at the time were near 65 km/h (40 mph) with higher gusts. Julia is expected to weaken to a tropical depression later today and into tropical rainstorm tomorrow.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 75 km (45 miles), mainly over water to the northeast of the center.

Tropical Storm "Julia" forecast track by NWS at 06:00 UTC on September 14, 2016

Tropical-storm-force winds are already occurring within portions of the tropical storm warning area.

Julia is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 inches) of rain near the northeast Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina coastlines through Friday afternoon. Isolated totals of 10 inches (25.4 inches) are possible. This rainfall could lead to flash flooding. Flooding may be further compounded with persistent strong onshore flow reducing river and stream discharges.

An isolated tornado or two will be possible through this morning across parts of northeastern Florida and southeastern Georgia.

Featured image credit: UW-CIMSS