...
By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Multiple Gulf Coast states are at risk of storm impact from a developing low pressure system east of Florida that could turn tropical later this week.
Newsweek reached out to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) by email for comment.
Why It Matters
The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1. The last storm to form was Tropical Storm Chantal earlier this month.
Read More on U.S.
NHC meteorologists are currently monitoring a low-pressure system east of Florida that has a low chance of becoming a tropical storm within the week. Should it form, the storm will be named Dexter.
The development comes as meteorologists predicted an above-average hurricane season this year for the Atlantic.
...
What to Know
As of Monday, the disturbance east of Florida has a 10 percent chance of becoming tropical in the next 48 hours and a 30 percent chance of doing so in the coming seven days.
"An area of low pressure located offshore the east coast of Florida is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms this morning," the most recent NHC forecast said. "This disturbance is forecast to move westward across Florida during
the next day or so, and into the northeastern Gulf by late Tuesday."
The forecast added that environmental conditions in the Gulf were favorable for tropical development, meaning water temperatures are warm enough and there are no strong winds that could dismantle the system.
The low-pressure system is expected to trek west or west-northwest through the northeastern and north-central parts of the Gulf by mid- to late-week.
A map from AccuWeather shows "widespread" showers are expected across the entire state of Florida, southern Georgia, coastal Alabama, coastal Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana between Monday and Thursday. Rainfall amounts could measure between 2 and 4 inches.
The risk of localized rainfall stretches as far north as North Carolina.
In addition to heavy rain, dangerous surf conditions, such as rip currents, are expected along the coast.
What People Are Saying
NHC forecast on Monday: "Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of Florida and the north-central Gulf Coast through the middle to latter portion of this week."
AccuWeather in a forecast about the developing system: "In a setup similar to early July that led to the formation of Tropical Storm Chantal, a stalling front is expected to move toward the Southeast coast and into the warm waters of the Gulf which could be enough to generate tropical activity."
What Happens Next
After the current low-pressure system passes, AccuWeather meteorologists are predicting that "vast areas of dust from the Sahara Desert as well as disruptive winds" will inhibit future areas of tropical development close to the U.S. for the foreseeable future.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines