Erika Heads for Tampa

Erika Friday Night Update

Interests Elsewhere In Eastern And Central Cuba...As Well As The

Southern Florida Peninsula And Florida Keys...Should Monitor The

Progress Of Erika.  Additional Watches And Warnings Could Be

Needed For These Areas On Saturday After Erika Moves Off Of

Hispaniola.

Tropical Storm Center Located Near 17.9n  71.2w At 28/2100z

Position Accurate Within  40 Nm

Present Movement Toward The West Or 280 Degrees At  18 Kt

A Tropical Storm Warning Means That Tropical Storm Conditions Are

Expected Somewhere Within The Warning Area.

A Tropical Storm Watch Means That Tropical Storm Conditions Are

Possible Within The Watch Area...Generally Within 48 Hours.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor 

your national meteorological service.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.

Weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Erika is

forecast to weaken to a tropical depression on Saturday.  There is

a possibility that Erika could dissipate to a trough of low

pressure during or after its passage over Hispaniola.