Tropical Storm Warning Canceled For Eta; Gusts, Rain Continues

ACROSS FLORIDA — Parts of South and Central Florida experienced gusty winds and heavy rain as Tropical Storm Eta moved southwestward over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico overnight. However, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, Eta never reached hurricane levels.

As a result, the tropical storm warning has been canceled for all the Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys, excluding the Dry Tortugas where a tropical storm warning remains in effect, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Gusty conditions will continue across the Florida Keys, south and central Florida Monday. A tornado or two is also possible over parts of south Florida and the Keys.

At 10 a.m. Monday, the center of Tropical Storm Eta was located by an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Doppler weather radars moving toward the southwest at 14 mph. This motion is expected to continue through Monday night.

Little motion is forecast on Tuesday and a slow northward motion is expected on Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Eta will continue to move away from the Florida Keys and south Florida Monday, and will remain over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Monday night through Wednesday.

Data from the aircraft and Doppler radars indicate that maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 60 mph with some higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected Monday. Some slight strengthening is forecast on Tuesday into Wednesday, followed by gradual weakening thereafter.

Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.

Eta is expected to produce rainfall through Saturday morning in portions of the central and southern Florida peninsula, including the Keys of about 2 to 4 inches with isolated maximum storm totals of 18 inches in South Florida.

Flash and urban flooding will also be possible for southern and eastern Florida over the
next several days. Minor river flooding is possible for central Florida.

Swells generated by Eta are expected to affect southern Florida and the Florida Keys during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

See related stories:

• Tropical Depression Eta Expected To Strengthen Approaching Keys
• Eta Could Produce Tropical-Force Winds In Florida This Weekend
• Tropical Depression Eta Expected To Strengthen Approaching Keys
• Tropical Storm Warnings, Watches Issued For South Florida, Keys