The approach of Tropical Storm Eta has prompted the cancellation of Monday night’s entertainment at town squares in The Villages.
The Villages has been experiencing bands of wind and rain due to the tropical storm, which is being monitored closely due to concerns it could reach hurricane strength.
The National Hurricane Center advises that little overall motion is forecast on Tuesday and a slow northward motion is expected on Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Eta will continue to move away from the Florida Keys and south Florida today, and will remain over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico tonight through Wednesday.
Data from a recent Air Force Reserve reconnaissance mission and Doppler radars indicate that maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected today and tonight. Some slight strengthening is forecast on Tuesday into Wednesday, followed by gradual weakening thereafter.