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 the region as it moves north.

Subtropical means the storm is is not purely tropical because the low pressure developed from a cold core upper low pressure, according to News 13 meteorologist Maureen McCann. The system is over water temperatures that do not support a purely tropical system. These types of storms tend to produce a lot of rain, but they tend not 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. — Hurricane hunters find Ana stronger.

  • Location: 32.1 N, 77.4 W
    (About 140 miles SE of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
  • Maximum Sustained Winds: 60 mph
  • Present Movement: N at 2 mph
  • Minimum Central Pressure: 998 mb or 29.47 inches

Watches and Warnings

No.

Summary of watches and warnings in effect:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the following areas:

* North of Surf City to Cape Lookout North Carolina.

*South Santee River to Surf City

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the following areas:
*Edisto Beach, South Carolina, to south  of South Santee River
*North of Surf City to Cape Lookout, North Carolina

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, generally within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case also within 36 hours.

Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 11 p.m., the center of Subtropical Storm Ana was located near latitude 32.1 north, longitude 77.4 west. The storm is moving toward the north near 2 mph. A turn toward the northwest and then back to the north at a slightly faster forward speed is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center will be near the coasts of south and North Carolina by sunday morning.

Reports from an air Force Reserve unit hurricane hunter aircraft indicate the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph with higher gusts.  Little additional strengthening is forecast through Saturday morning. A gradual weakening trend is likely to begin within 24 hours.

Winds of 40 mph extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.

The minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve Reconnaissance aircraft was 998 mb (29.47 inches).

Hazards affecting land

Wind: Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area, and possible within the watch areas, by Saturday afternoon or evening.

Storm surge: The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters. The water could reach 1 to 2 feet above ground ar times of high tide in coastal areas from Cape Hatteras, NC southward through South Carolina.

Rainfall: Ana is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts of 6 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