BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Laura Intermediate Advisory Number 31A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132020
100 PM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020
…FLOODING RAINFALL AND STRONG WINDS SPREADING INLAND OVER
NORTHERN LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEASTERN ARKANSAS…
…HIGH WATER LEVELS PERSIST ALONG PORTIONS OF THE GULF COAST…
SUMMARY OF 100 PM CDT…1800 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…32.9N 92.8W
ABOUT 65 MI…100 KM ENE OF SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…65 MPH…100 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…N OR 10 DEGREES AT 15 MPH…24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…988 MB…29.18 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The Tropical Storm Warning along the Gulf coast has been
discontinued.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* Sabine Pass Texas to Port Fourchon Louisiana
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening
inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline in
the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please
see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic,
available at hurricanes.gov.
For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 100 PM CDT (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Laura was
located inland over northern Louisiana near latitude 32.9 North,
longitude 92.8 West. Laura is moving toward the north near 15 mph
(24 km/h) and this motion should continue through this afternoon.
A northeastward to east-northeastward motion is expected tonight
and Friday. On the forecast track, the center of Laura is forecast
to move over Arkansas tonight, the mid-Mississippi Valley on Friday,
and the mid-Atlantic states on Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 65 mph (100 km/h)
with higher gusts. Continued weakening is forecast, and Laura is
expected to weaken to a tropical depression this evening or
overnight.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km)
from the center. A sustained wind of 44 mph (70 km/h) and a gust
to 62 mph (100 km/h) was recently reported at Monroe Regional
Airport in Louisiana. A wind gust to 52 mph (83 km/h) was
recently reported at South Arkansas Regional Airport.
The estimated minimum central pressure based on surface
observations is 988 mb (29.18 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
Key messages for Laura can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT3 and WMO header WTNT43 KNHC.
STORM SURGE: Water levels remain elevated along the Gulf Coast
and will continue to subside over the next few hours.
WIND: Tropical storm conditions will continue to spread into
northern Louisiana and portions of Arkansas through this evening.
RAINFALL: Through Friday Laura is expected to produce additional
rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches across portions of Louisiana,
Mississippi and Arkansas, with isolated storm totals of 18 inches
over Louisiana.
This rainfall will continue to cause widespread flash and urban
flooding, small streams and creeks to overflow their banks, and
minor to moderate freshwater river flooding.
Through Saturday, Laura is expected to produce 1 to 3 inches with
isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches across the mid-Mississippi
Valley, portions of the Tennessee and Lower Ohio Valleys, the
central Appalachians, and the Mid-Atlantic States.
This rainfall may lead to flash and urban flooding and rapid rises
on small streams.
TORNADOES: Tornadoes are possible through tonight over parts of
Louisiana, Arkansas, and western Mississippi. The risk for tornadoes
will shift into the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley regions on Friday
into Friday night.
SURF: Swells produced by Laura continue to affect the U.S. Gulf
coast from the Florida Panhandle to Texas and northeastern Mexico.
These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip
current conditions. Please consult products from your local
weather office.