Erika has dissipated as a tropical cyclone, but that doesn't mean it won't impact the Tampa Bay area weather.



Even as a tropical wave, it could bring bouts of heavy rain to west-central Florida on Monday, Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.

The 8 a.m. advisory showed the center of what was still being called a storm on the north side of eastern Cuba rather than the south side, as shown previously. Around 9:30 a.m., a special advisory was issued saying the storm had degenerated to a trough of low pressure.

Key points:

Erika is no longer a tropical storm



It poses no major wind threat to Florida

West-central Florida could see heavy rain Monday, Tuesday

Maximum sustained winds were still 40 mph at 8 a.m. The system was traveling west-northwest at 20 mph, and that general motion is expected through tonight. A turn toward the northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected Sunday.

The possibility Erika could reorganize as a tropical storm can't be ruled out, but more than likely it will send a blob of moisture across Florida. As Erika moves slowly north through the eastern Gulf of Mexico, we will remain on the wetter side of the system. That means we'll see the potential for heavy rainfall Monday and Tuesday into Wednesday.

This does not mean it is going to rain all day each of those days. But because of the still saturated grounds of west-central Florida, flooding in low lying and river basins will likely occur again.

For other parts of Florida that hadn’t experienced the flooding, Erika really won’t pose much of a threat. Just some heavy rain (which other parts of the state can handle at this point) and some slightly higher winds at times. (mainly less than 30 mph).

Location at 9:30 a.m. Saturday: 21.5 N, 75.9 W



21.5 N, 75.9 W How far is it? 55 mi. ENE of Holguin, Cuba

Winds: 35 mph

35 mph Movement: WNW at 22 mph

WNW at 22 mph Pressure: 1,011 mb / 29.82 inches

Watches and warnings:

There were no new watches and warnings given with the 8 a.m. advisory. Tropical warnings remain in effect for the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the southeastern Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos islands and central Bahamas.

A watch is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas and Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Campaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin and Guantanamo.

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Erika Final Scheduled Advisory

9:30 a.m. — Erika degenerates to a trough of low pressure.

How far is it?

o 130 mi. E of Camaguey, Cuba

o 260 mi. SSE of Nassau, Bahamas

o 403 mi. SE of Miami

Watches and Warnings

Changes with this advisory:

All coastal watches and warnings are discontinued.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Interests in the Bahamas, eastern and central Cuba, and southern Florida should monitor the progress of the remnants of Erika.

Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 9:30 a.m. the remnants of Erika were estimated near latitude 21.5 north, longitude 75.9 west.

The remnants are moving toward the west-northwest near 22 mph. This general motion should continue for the next 24 hours or so, with the remnants expected to move near the coast of eastern and central Cuba today and tonight, and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with higher gusts.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1,011 mb (29.86 inches).

Hazards affecting land

Rainfall: The remnants of Erika are expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and eastern and central Cuba through Sunday. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. In addition, rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected across the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the southeastern and central Bahamas through Sunday.

Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches, with locally heavier amounts, are possible across southern and Central Florida beginning on Sunday.

Wind: Gusts to tropical storm force are expected in squalls over portions of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas for the next several hours. These conditions are expected to spread into the central Bahamas this afternoon and tonight. Gusts to tropical storm force in squalls are also possible over eastern Cuba today.

Gusty winds could occur over southern Florida beginning on Sunday.

Next Advisory

This is the last public advisory on this system.