Jacksonville, Fl — Tropical Storm Eta is very near south Florida this morning and is pushing tropical moisture ashore. We’re in for times of heavy rainfall today and tomorrow. Action News Jax Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh says it’s going to be very humid and warm.
Eta is expected to zig zag off the west coast of Florida for much of this week, and then near the central Florida Gulf Coast by Friday.
LISTEN: Mike Buresh ‘All the Weather, All the Time’ Podcast
Mike Buresh says gusty winds will increase and peak through Monday with gusts up to 45 mph at the beaches, and up to 35 mph along & near the intracoastal/St. Johns River. Winds will be up to 25 mph near & west of the I-95 corridor.
Expect dangerous rip currents at area beaches with rough seas and surf. Waves on local beaches will reach 6-9 (+) feet through Tuesday. Smaller boats & vessels should stay in port.
On-&-off rain bands, not directly associated with Eta, will move from east to west across the area for many days in a row. These bands will produce brief strong winds, heavy rain & isolated waterspouts. Rainfall through the end of the week will average 1-3″, locally 4″+ with heaviest amounts from near I-95 to the coast.
Winds will decrease some midweek as Eta moves farther west over the Gulf of Mexico. Depending on the strength of Eta, stronger winds could return by Friday. There is a potential storm surge of 1-2 feet at the beaches due to persistent strong onshore winds with higher than average tides along the St. Johns River and some of its tributaries.
Keep listening to 104.5 FM throughout the week for the updated forecast and follow expected local impacts in Mike’s Talking the Tropics blog.
#ETA's eventual track is a little murky. Here are the forecast models and also the European Ensembles (Euro model with different conditions) for Eta. Notice some keep it out in the Gulf. Hope that trend continues. #FirstAlertWX pic.twitter.com/Jwud3JfXGr
— Garrett Bedenbaugh (@wxgarrett) November 9, 2020
So -- the model guidance is still trying to figure out the end game for #Eta... Track and intensity makes a difference! #FirstAlertWX pic.twitter.com/OVr5pbU7d7
— Garrett Bedenbaugh (@wxgarrett) November 9, 2020
WIND will be a big local weather story today. A beach beating, for sure. Gusts of 35-40 mph. High surf and very high rip current risk. #FirstAlertWX pic.twitter.com/etHDzcnCdB
— Garrett Bedenbaugh (@wxgarrett) November 9, 2020
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