In a hurry? Here's the tropics situation in less than a minute .
Francine continues to weaken and is now a tropical depression over central Mississippi, but its impacts continue to be felt across the Southeast, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Several tornado watches and tornado warnings have been issued this morning for portions of Florida's Panhandle and Big Bend.
Heavy rain is spreading across Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
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The National Hurricane Center said the 11 a.m. advisory was the last that will be issued for Francine.
Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana Wednesday night as a Category 2 storm, with winds maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Francine came ashore in Terrebonne Parish, 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, according to the NHC.
What impacts from Tropical Depression Francine are expected in Florida today?
As Tropical Depression Francine moves farther inland, coastal flooding of up to 2 to 3 feet and tropical-storm-force winds are expected early this morning, according to the National Weather Service Mobile.
➤ Spaghetti models for Francine
A few tornadoes are possible today, mainly in the morning and afternoon from the Florida Panhandle to north-central Alabama.
Francine is expected to bring storm total rainfall of 3 to 6 inches across portions of the Florida Panhandle. Localized amounts up to 10 inches are possible within rain bands over the area.
Conditions are expected to improve by noon.
Some minor flooding and ponding of water on roadways will likely occur through the morning hours, especially across the western Florida Panhandle and south central Alabama, NWS said.
Florida Panhandle impacts: Will Tropical Storm Francine impact the Florida Panhandle? Here's what to know
Where is Tropical Depression Francine? What you need to know
- Location : 15 miles north-northeast of Jackson, Mississippi
- Maximum sustained winds: 35 mph
- Movement : north at 14 mph
- Pressure : 996 mb
Interactive map: Excessive rainfall forecast
Spaghetti models: Latest models on where Tropical Depression Francine could go next
Special note about spaghetti models: Spaghetti model illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
Watches, warnings issued across Florida, US
All hurricane, storm surge and tropical watches and warnings have been discontinued. See the map for other weather advisories issued.
How strong is Tropical Depression Francine and where is it going?
At 10 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression Francine was located near latitude 32.5 North, longitude 90.1 West.
The depression is moving toward the north near 14 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue with a decrease in forward speed through Friday.
On the forecast track, the center of Francine will move over central and northern portions of Mississippi this afternoon and tonight and move into northeastern Arkansas by Friday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with higher gusts.
Weakening is forecast, and Francine is expected to become a post-tropical cyclone later today or tonight.
The estimated minimum central pressure based on surface observations from the Jackson area is 996 mb
Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Tropical Depression Francine
- Elevated water levels and high surf along portions of the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts should subside today. Until this occurs, residents in the affected area should continue to follow advice given by local officials.
- Francine will continue to bring heavy rainfall and the risk of flash and urban flooding, along with river flooding, across portions of the Lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley and the Southeast.
- Considerable flash and urban flooding is possible through tonight over portions of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, expanding into Georgia and middle Tennessee Friday.
What impact could Tropical Depression Francine have and what areas could be affected?
- WIND : Wind gusts to tropical-storm force are possible for the next few hours over portions of central Mississippi and western Alabama.
- RAINFALL : Francine is expected to bring storm total rainfall of 4 to 8 inches across portions of Mississippi, eastern Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Localized amounts of 12 inches are possible over portions of Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and Georgia. This rainfall could lead to considerable flash and urban flooding.
- STORM SURGE : Water levels remain elevated along the Gulf Coast between eastern Louisiana and Alabama but will recede through this afternoon.
- TORNADOES : A few tornadoes are possible today across the Florida Panhandle, southern and central Alabama, and southwest Georgia.
- SURF : Swells generated by Francine should subside along the northern Gulf Coast through today. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Atlantic tropics storm tracker
See new 'cone of concern' used with Hurricane Francine
The National Hurricane Center first launched its new "cone of concern " for Hurricane Ernesto on Aug. 14 and is using it now with Hurricane Francine.
Ernesto stayed well away from Florida and the U.S., so residents didn't see many differences between the original and new cone.
As Francine approaches the northern Gulf Coast, that's not the case with the new cone posted by the National Hurricane Center on its website.
One of the biggest differences between the two cones is that the new cone shows wind warnings issued for interior counties, not just those on the coast.
Both cones will be visible on the Hurricane Center's website. Find the new cone by going to the graphics page for the storm , then click on "New Experimental Cone," which is highlighted in red.
Differences you'll see:
- Watches and warnings for inland counties, not just coastal areas.
- White transparent shading for the entire five-day forecast, instead of white stippling (dots) for the four- and five-day forecast.
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Tropical Depression Francine weakening but threats not over for Florida. See what to expect
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