*******Note that forecasts and outlooks in this post are NOT the official forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). They are my own detailed views on the Atlantic tropics based on current observations and latest computer model runs. As such do not make decisions based on my posts...consult news media...watches and warnings from your local weather office...and any evacuation orders issued by local governments to make the most informed and best decisions. Visit the NHC website hurricanes.gov (hurricanes dot gov) for the latest watches/warnings and official forecasts on active tropical cyclones.**********
...WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28 2020 9:57 PM EDT...
Satellite image of Hurricane Zeta as of 0126Z:
Hurricane Zeta still a 90 mph maximum sustained wind category 1 hurricane while rolling through southern Mississippi...hurricane force winds expected over southern Mississippi and southwestern Alabama...hunker down in a sturdy building and interior room in the lowest floor possible when the wind strikes. Once Zeta weakens below hurricane force...gusty tropical storm force winds capable of producing power outages will spread well inland for multiple reasons...(1) Zeta will remain supported by the eastern divergence zone of the southern US upper trough incoming from the west which will slow Zeta’s weakening rate...(2) the unexpected strengthening this past afternoon and fast northeast track Zeta will not give the storm enough time to weaken before moving well inland...(3) the fast northeast track will accelerate the wind speed on the southeast half of the circulation while reducing the wind in the northwest side...as such the southeast side of Zeta will spread gusty tropical storm force winds across eastern Alabama...much of Georgia...the Carolinas...southern Virginia...and southeastern Maryland. Please note that new inland tropical storm warnings and wind advisories have been raised this past afternoon in the Carolinas...southern Virginia...and southeastern Maryland in lieu of Zeta strengthening more than expected before its landfall earlier today. Heavy rainfall with some flash flooding potential is also possible across all aforementioned land areas.