Tropical Storm Elsa – Update #1 – 7/1/2021

University of Florida officials are actively monitoring Tropical Storm Elsa, and much remains unknown about the storm’s path.  Here’s what we know today:

Tropical storm conditions are expected beginning Friday in portions of the Windward and southern Leeward Islands, including Barbados, with outer rain bands impacting Puerto Rico. There is a risk of wind and rainfall impacts in portions of Hispaniola, Cuba, the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas through early next week.

Elsa has maximum sustained winds near 45 mph, and gradual strengthening is forecast. Elsa is currently expected to maintain tropical-storm strength through the next five days, and while it is too soon for the National Hurricane Center to determine the exact timing, magnitude and location of possible impacts from wind and rainfall, all UF units in Florida should monitor forecasts, especially heading into a holiday weekend.

No tropical storm warnings or watches are currently in place for the state of Florida but could be issued as soon as Saturday for the Keys and southern Florida. There is a risk of tropical storm force surge, wind and rainfall impacts for the Keys and southern Peninsula early next week.

No tropical storm warnings or watches are currently in place for Alachua County, and no operational changes are anticipated for the UF campus in Gainesville. We will continue to monitor and update the UF community on expected impacts or schedule changes as information becomes available.

For additional information, please visit National Hurricane Center