Hurricane Florence May Have Lost A Little Steam Tonight, But This Storm is Not Done. Here is Why! (Photo Credit: NOAA)

DISCUSSION: As of earlier this evening, many people along the mid-Atlantic coastline along the East Coast of the United States were likely breathing a slight sigh of relief when they heard that the recent period of rapid intensification which had unfolded in association with Hurricane Florence had finally come to at least a temporary end. The reason for this temporary break in this latest round of rapid intensification with Florence could have been due to any number of different sensitive storm-relative factors. However, the most likely culprit for this brief respire in the more rapid intensification of Florence would be what is referred to as an eye wall replacement cycle.

When it comes to dealing with more intense tropical cyclones, there are quite often very unpredictable and relatively frequent changes in intensity regardless of how subtle they may be. These brief periods wherein a tropical cyclone is temporarily halting further intensification may be seen by the general public as a good sign that the storm has finally reached its peak intensity. However, this unfortunately cannot be farther from the actual truth. In reality, this is in all likelihood just a brief "break" from the storm potentially undergoing even further intensification which may take it closer to a Category 5 hurricane depending on much deeper the actual low-pressure system gets down to at the core of the tropical cyclone. Therefore, there are some major considerations to make NOW and TAKE ACTION in response to.

First and foremost, if you are in any coastal sections of South Carolina, North Carolina, and/or Virginia, you will DEFINITELY want to consider making a full and complete evacuation from your residence since it will simply be unsafe for you to remain in such a location as Hurricane Florence make its final approach. Moreover, even if you are further inland, you will also want to make strong preparations as well since inland areas of these states and beyond will also more than likely experience heavy rainfall as well as gusty, tropical-storm force winds.  Thus, with there still being a solid 48 to 60 hours left prior to the onset of the first impacts from Hurricane Florence across at least those 3 states noted above, there is still time to make corresponding plans for what to do and where to go as regional highways will all be directed out of major coastal cities as of tomorrow morning in locations with the currently projected "strike zone" of Florence.  Finally, even if you happen to be located beyond the immediate coastal evacuations, once again you are not "out of the woods" from Florence and you should take this INCREDIBLY seriously as there will likely be tremendous flooding from this upcoming hurricane landfall even 50 to 60 + miles from the immediate coastline.

For more updates be sure to look at updates from your local National Weather Service office, from the National Hurricane Center, and from right here at the Global Weather and Climate Center!

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© 2018 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz