All signs indicate, so far, that Tropical Storm Elsa will not become a hurricane as it approaches Florida. If it stays on its current course, Elsa will be in Florida by Tuesday morning.
Right now, there is no threat to Sebastian, Florida.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts 60 mph winds or less as it moves up the west coast of Florida. Elsa is located 750 miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands.
Current spaghetti models show Tropical Storm Elsa moving up the Gulf of Mexico and making landfall near the Florida Panhandle. If that happens, Sebastian could see a lot of rain from the tropical storm.
“There is a risk of storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts in the Florida Keys and portions of the southern Florida Peninsula early next week. However, the forecast uncertainty remains larger than usual due to Elsa’s potential interaction with the Greater Antilles this weekend. Interests in Florida should monitor Elsa’s progress and updates to the forecast,” the NHC said in a statement.
At this hour, the center of Tropical Storm Elsa is located near latitude 10.1 North, longitude 51.4 West. Elsa is moving toward the west near 28 mph (44 km/h). An even faster motion toward the west-northwest is expected over the next 24 to 36 hours.
Elsa will pass near or over portions of the Windward Islands or the southern Leeward Islands on Friday, move into the eastern Caribbean Sea late Friday and Friday night, and move near the southern coast of Hispaniola on Saturday. By early Sunday, Elsa is forecast to move near portions of eastern Cuba.
Tropical Storm Elsa has prompted storm warnings for Barbados, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
While we won’t see a tropical storm in Sebastian this weekend, we will get plenty of rain. Highs will be near 91 degrees, overnight low of 73.
Sebastian Daily will continue to keep you updated on our YouTube Channel and our weather page about Tropical Storm Elsa.