Start Of Tropical Storm Force Winds
I’ve just become aware of an error in local media claiming that tropical storm force winds will start for the Golden Isles as early as tomorrow. I’m not saying it won’t happen, but it’s extremely unlikely to happen. Hurricane Matthew hasn’t even passed Cuba yet, and it outlying cloud cover is only now due east of southern Florida. In addition to that, our own forecast from the NWS is that winds will cross the 35 MPH threshold after 6 PM Friday night. I simply don’t see how it is possible for us to have tropical storm force winds that early.
On the other hand, the headline and story could be referring to the eastern coast of Florida south of Melbourne. Melbourne is forecast to have winds of 36 MPH at 10 PM Thursday night.