Hurricane Harvey weakens as it moves inland

At 1000 AM CDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Harvey waslocated near latitude 28.9 North, longitude 97.3 West. Harvey ismoving slowly toward the north near 2 mph (4 km/h), and littlemotion is anticipated during the next several days.Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 75 mph (120 km/h)with higher gusts. These winds are confined to a small area near thecenter. Weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Harveyis expected to become a tropical storm this afternoon.Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from thecenter and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles(220 km).The estimated minimum central pressure is 984 mb (29.06 inches).HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND———————-RAINFALL: Harvey is expected to produce total rain accumulations of15 to 30 inches and isolated maximum amounts of 40 inches over themiddle and upper Texas coast through Thursday. During the sametime period Harvey is expected to produce total rain accumulationsof 5 to 15 inches in far south Texas, the Texas Hill Countryand southwest and central Louisiana. Rainfall of this magnitudewill cause catastrophic and life-threatening flooding. A list ofrainfall observations compiled by the NOAA Weather Prediction Centercan be found at: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc1.html

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water is expected to reach the following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… Port Aransas to Sargent…4 to 7 ft Sargent to High Island including Galveston Bay…2 to 4 ft High Island to Morgan City…1 to 3 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near the area of onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. WIND: Hurricane conditions are occuring inland near the core of Harvey. Tropical storm conditions are occurring in portions of the tropical storm warning area, and are likely to persist along portions of the coast through at least Sunday. SURF: Swells generated by Harvey are affecting the Texas, Louisiana, and northeast Mexico coasts. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. TORNADOES: Tornadoes are possible today and tonight near the middle and upper Texas coast into far southwest Louisiana.