Tropical Storm off of Florida is Picking up Steam

[Manu]

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Tropical Storm Edouard strengthened a bit Tuesday while remaining in a virtually stationary position off northern Florida, the National Weather Service reported

A tropical storm warning from the Florida coast north to the Georgia-South Carolina border was downgraded Monday to a watch as Edouard continued to drift off the coast.

At 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday, Edouard was about 180 miles east of Jacksonville, with maximum sustained winds of near 65 mph. The storm has been nearly stationary, but a slow motion to the west-southwest or southwest is expected to begin later Tuesday. A slight weakening also is expected to occur during the next 24 hours, the weather service said.

Fact file
Tropical Storm Edouard
Latitude: 30.3 degrees north
Longitude: 78.6 degrees west
Maximum sustained winds: Near 65 mph

Tropical Storm Dolly
Latitude: 21.5 degrees north
Longitude: 53 degrees west
Maximum sustained winds: Near 50 mph

Edouard's center was last located near 30.3 degrees north latitude and 78.6 degrees west longitude.

The tropical storm watch area Tuesday was reduced to the Florida coastline between Flagler and Fernandina beaches.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Dolly -- which had rushed toward hurricane strength (74 mph) last week before backing off short of the mark and turning north well out to sea -- moved a small distance eastward Tuesday on its way out into the Atlantic Ocean.

At last report -- 10 a.m. EDT -- the storm's center was near 21.5 degrees north latitude, 53 degrees west longitude or about 690 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands.

Dolly is moving toward the north near 14 mph, and it is expected to continue this movement during the next 24 hours.

Dolly's maximum sustained winds were last clocked at near 50 mph, with stronger gusts. Little change in the forecast is expected during the next 24 hours
www.cnn.com

[Redfield]

I'm sooooo glad we just have an occasional earthquake. I hope the thing loses steam.