Subtropical Storm Ana formed late Thursday night off the Carolina coast. The storm brought rain and wind the last few days to Central Florida, but it is not expected to impact us as it moves north.

According to our meteorologists, subtropical means the storm is is not purely tropical because the low pressure developed from a cold core upper low pressure.  It's over water temperatures that do not support a purely tropical system. These types of storms tend to produce a lot of rain, but don’t tend to strengthen too much as they don’t have the heat of the ocean to use as fuel.

Subtropical Storm Ana Advisory

11 P.M. Update: Subtropical storm Ana forms off the southeast U.S. Coast.

  • Location: 31.5 N 77.6 W
    170 mi SSE of Myrtle Beach, SC
  • Maximum Sustained Winds: 45 mph
  • Present Movement: N at 2 mph
  • Minimum Central Pressure: 1004 mb or 29.65 inches

Watches and Warnings:

A tropical storm watch has been issued from Edisto Beach South Carolina to Cape Lookout North Carolina.

Discussion and 48-hour Outlook:

At 1100 PM EDT, the center of subtropical storm Ana was located near latitude 31.5 north, longitude 77.6 west. The storm is moving toward the north near 2 mph. A turn toward the northwest with a slight increase in forward speed is expected over the next 48 hours.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is forecast during the next day or so. Winds of 40 mph extend outward up to 160 miles from the center.

An Air Force Reserve unit hurricane hunter aircraft observed a minimum central pressure of 1004 mb (29.65 inches).

Hazards affecting land:

Wind: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by Saturday afternoon or evening.
Rainfall: Ana is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches over eastern portions of North Carolina and South Carolina through the weekend.
Surf: Swells generated by Ana are affecting portions of the southeastern U.S. Coast. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.

Next Advisories:

Complete advisory: 5 a.m.

HURRICANE CENTER