Nestor Downgraded, Still Poses Threat to Southeast

Nestor, now a post-tropical cyclone, makes landfall in Florida after losing it's tropical storm characteristics. Even though it has deteriorated, this storm will bring a messy weekend to the central and eastern Gulf Coast, Southeast, and Carolinas.

All Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings have been discontinued.
 

As of 5 p.m. EDT, Post-Tropical Cyclone Nestor was located near 30.4 N, 84.1 W, or 70 miles northeast of Apalachicola, Fla. Maximum sustained winds have dropped to 45 mph and it is churning northeast at 23 mph. Minimum central pressure is steady at 999 mb, or 29.50 inches of mercury.

Two to 4 inches of rain will pelt the northeastern Gulf Coast today and the eastern Carolinas late today into Sunday morning  with an additional 1 to 3 inches expected throughout Sunday. Fortunately, these same areas have been in a moderate to extreme drought, so the rain is much needed. However, too much falling in a short time will create pockets of flash flooding. 

Severe weather will be possible as well across Florida today and then the Carolinas tonight into Sunday. Already, there's reports of a tornado that touched down in Polk County, along Interstate 4 near Lakeland, Fla. Downed power lines, trees, and extensive damage to homes are some of the reported affects of Nestor.

Maximum sustained winds are currently blowing at 40mph with gusts reaching 43 mph in some parts. . 

Residents in Panama City, Apalachicola and Tallahassee, Fla., should expect at least sporadic power outages today as well as downed tress. Wind will quickly subside this afternoon and evening. Rough surf is likely along the Florida Gulf Coast as the storm makes its way further northeast. Storm surges have reached 2 to 4 feet along Florida’s west coast, with a spot or two possibly seeing a surge of 3 to 5 feet. 

This storm will weaken as it pushes through southern Georgia this afternoon and evening. It will makes its way through the eastern Carolinas Sunday morning and then get a nudge by a cold front pushing in from the Plains. As a result, isolated severe thunderstorms will flare with damaging wind gusts and possibly a few isolated tornadoes. The cold front will sweep the remnants of Nestor into the Atlantic Sunday afternoon.
 

Residents and visitors to the Gulf Coast should keep an eye out for small adjustments in the forecast track this evening and prepare a rain and wind-filled weekend start. Although the tropical season has reached its traditional peak, tropical systems are still possible, especially in the still warm southwestern Gulf of Mexico and Bay of Campeche.