Subtropical Depression Andrea swirls off the southeastern U.S. coast more than three weeks before the official start of hurricane season.
At 11 p.m. EDT, the center of Subtropical Depression Andrea was located near latitude 29.3 north, longitude 79.8 west or about 100 miles east-southeast of St. Augustine, Florida and about 80 miles north-northeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Maximum sustained winds at 35 mph. Minimum central pressure at 1004 mb.
The tropical storm watch along the southeast coast of the United States was discontinued.
Meteorologists said it appears the biggest impact from Andrea could be troubles along Florida's coast. Rough waves have been pounding the area for days, but are only getting worse.
Waves crashed over the Flagler Beach Pier Wednesday. The pier had already been battered during the 2004 hurricanes.
There are also concerns about erosion along the shore over the next few days.
Experts don't think Andrea poses much of a threat. However, it is something surfers say they have been waiting for.
"We’ve been predicting waves like this since Saturday so we all knew Wednesday would be the day," beachgoer Shawn King said.
City crews said they are keeping a very close watch on the beach and A1A. The highway has suffered severe erosion problems from rough surf in the past.
Subtropical systems are hybrid weather formations that are usually weaker than hurricanes and tropical storms. They share characteristics of tropical systems, which get their power from warm ocean waters at their centers, and more typical bad weather that forms when warm and cold fronts collide. While Andrea is not fully developed into a tropical storm, its winds are creating turbulent seas and adding to the fire threat in Central Florida.
While the winds will increase the fire threat in Central Florida, the rain will not decrease the chances of flames. Most of Andrea’s rains will go north of Central Florida.
Andrea was the first named storm in May since 1981s Arlene.
Subtropical Depression Public Advisory
Statement as of 11 p.m. EDT on May 10, 2007
Andrea is degenerating into a remnant low.
At 11 p.m. EDT (0300z), the center of subtropical depression Andrea was located near latitude 29.3 north, longitude 79.8 west or about 100 miles (160 km) east-southeast of St. Augustine, Florida and about 80 miles (125 km) northeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Andrea is moving toward the south near 3 mph and a gradual turn towards the southeast is expected over the next 24 hours. On this track the remnant low of Andrea is expected to remain just offshore from the northeastern Florida coast tonight and tomorrow.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/hr) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb/29.65 inches.
Repeating the 11 p.m. EDT position, 29.3 N 79.8 W. Movement is toward the south near 3 mph. Maximum sustained winds are 35 mph. The minimum central pressure is 1004 mb.
This is the last public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center on this system.