TROPICAL STORM ALEX MOVING SLOWLY TO THE NORTH-NORTHEAST

Aug. 2, 2004 — At 2 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Alex was located near latitude 31.8 north, longitude 78.6 west or about 115 miles southeast of Charleston, S.C. Over the past few hours, Alex has been moving to the north-northeast at about 6 mph. A general northeastward motion is expected later Monday. On the forecast track, the center of Alex will be slowly approaching the Carolina coastline over the next 24 hours, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Alex taken at 12:45 p.m. EDT on Aug. 2, 2004. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Alex has the potential to become a hurricane over the next day or so. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Alex taken at 10:15 a.m. EDT on Aug. 2, 2004. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center. The minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve Unit reconnaissance aircraft was 993 mb, 29.32 inches.

Storm total rainfall accumulations of 1-2 inches, with isolated higher amounts, can be expected in association with Alex. High surf and rip currents will affect much of the southeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S. coastal areas for the next couple of days. (Click NOAA image for larger view of Tropical Storm Alex tracking map. Please credit “NOAA.”)

A tropical storm warning remains in effect from South Santee River, S.C., to Oregon Inlet, N.C.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices and statements from local emergency management officials.

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