Tropical Storm Arthur picked up both strength and speed and continues to move north and east, a good sign for us in Florida.

Arthur is the first named Atlantic storm of 2014 Tuesday morning.

A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Central Florida coast from Flagler Beach to Fort Pierce, including Flagler, Volusia and Brevard counties.

Arthur is expected to remain just offshore of Florida's east coast through Wednesday, passing east of northeast Florida by Wednesday night. By Thursday, Arthur is expected to become a hurricane near the Carolinas.

———————————————

Tropical Storm Arthur Advisory

2 a.m. — Arthur a little stronger as it moves slowly northward.

Watches and Warnings

Changes with this advisory: None.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
* East coast of Florida, from Fort Pierce to Flagler Beach, including the coasts of Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 24 to 36 hours.

Interests elsewhere along the southeast coast of the United States should monitor the progress of this system.

Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 2 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located near latitude 28.0 north, longitude 79.1 west.

Arthur is moving toward the north near 4 mph.  A gradual increase in forward is expected today, followed by a turn toward the northeast by Thursday. On the forecast track...the center of Arthur is expected to remain just offshore and move east of the east-central coast of Florida today, pass east of northeastern Florida tonight and move parallel to the southeastern coast of the United States on Thursday.

Satellite data indicate that maximum sustained winds are neat 60 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours....and Arthur is expected to become a hurricane by Thursday. Air Force Reserve and NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft are scheduled to investigate Arthur in the next few hours.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.

The minimum central pressure recently measured by reconnaissance aircraft was 1,001 mb, 29.56 inches.

Hazards affecting land

Wind: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area today. In addition, winds to tropical storm force are occurring intermittently on Grand Bahama Island, and are likely to continue there for a few more hours.

Rainfall: Arthur is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 1 to 2 inches, mainly across the eastern Florida Peninsula. Isolated maximum amounts of 4 inches are possible through today.

Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches are possible over the northwestern Bahamas through Wednesday.

Surf: Swells generated by Arthur are affecting portions of the east-central coast of Florida. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents, especially along piers and jetties. These hazardous conditions will gradually spread northward along the coasts of northeast Florida and Georgia through today.

Next advisory

Complete advisory: 5 a.m.