MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- A persistent low-pressure disturbance hugging the First Coast region of Florida has enough organization to be called a tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm Julia is near Jacksonville with peak winds of 40 mph, moving north-northwest at 9 mph.
While some tropical-storm-force wind gusts have occurred close to the storm's center, the main impacts expected from this system will be periods of heavy rain near the Atlantic coastal areas as the system continues to move slowly into southeast Georgia.
In the north Florida/south Georgia region, the circulation of Julia will be capable of producing scattered showers and a few thunderstorms. While overall chances for rain are increased locally, the storm is considerably weaker wind-wise on the western side, which will minimize any noticeable wind forces for the local region.
Highest rain totals are projected to be well east of Interstate 75. Scattered rain can produce a half-inch to one inch of rain locally, with a few isolated higher amounts in parts of south-central Georgia and the Suwannee River Valley.
