A tropical rainstorm, named Invest 93L by the National Hurricane Center, formed Monday on Florida’s Atlantic coast. It quickly dumped heavy tropical rains across central and southern Florida, soaking several cities. TC has become a vigorous convective storm activity bearing deep tropical moisture. TC might deliver four-plus inch precip amounts by Tuesday night.
Beaches in Florida will see choppy waves and dangerous rip currents through Wednesday. Stay out of the water in unsafe conditions.
Low-lying areas with poor drainage across central Florida are most at risk of flooding through midweek. Urban areas could also see flash flooding. Rain will help alleviate drought, which covers over 50% of Florida. South Florida, where 16% of the region is in moderate drought, will benefit.
Storm Heads into Gulf, Intensifies Before Landfall
After soaking Florida, the storm will move into the Gulf of Mexico. It will then move west or northwest over warm waters. This could give it more time to organize and strengthen. Experts think it could become a tropical depression by Thursday morning. If the storm speeds up, it will push rain quickly towards the Gulf Coast. A slower track would stall the system over Louisiana or the Gulf, increasing the flood threat. A well-formed system would pose a greater flood risk from Louisiana to Mississippi.
Tropical Storm Dexter Next
If the storm goes farther south over Florida, it will spend more time over the Gulf. That would allow it to get stronger. If that happens, it could become Tropical Storm Dexter, the next name on the 2025 Atlantic list. Regardless of whether it strengthens, the system will bring heavy rain and flooding risks. Southeastern Louisiana could see 1-3 feet of storm surge, especially near Lake Pontchartrain and coastal Mississippi.
Winds and Post-Landfall Forecast
Those will only get stronger if the storm becomes a tropical storm. After landfall, the system will weaken and move north. It will bring rain through the southern parts of the Mississippi River Valley. Meanwhile, meteorologists are also watching another area off the Southeast coast.
Florida Heavy Rain and Flash Flood Threat
A big area of weather sits off the Southeast coast. It will move west over Florida. Rain will fall through Tuesday. Flash flooding will hit the Sunshine State. This system has plenty of tropical moisture. It would probably become a tropical depression once it is out in the Gulf. The National Hurricane Center considered it Invest 93L on Monday, putting it under close surveillance for possible tropical formation. FOX Forecast Center says tropical moisture will fuel slow-moving storms over Florida. These storms could drop 1-3 inches of rain per hour. Storms hit Palm Coast and other East Coast cities on Sunday. More rain this week.
Severe Storms and Flood Threat in Florida
2-3 inches of rain expected along Florida’s Gulf Coast and inland through Thursday. Some areas could get 3-5 inches. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center issued a Level 1 of 5 severe storm risk for Monday. Damaging wind gusts will sweep across the state. Heavy rain will also fall along the Gulf Coast from Alabama to Louisiana. New Orleans will get downpours this week. Florida’s flash flood risk will decrease as the week goes on.
Possible Tropical Development in the Gulf
They will collect storm data during these flights. Atlantic conditions are hostile for development. But the Gulf is warm and could fuel a tropical depression. Models don’t show strong tropical systems. Some models hint at Gulf development. Key factors will determine development: hostile winds and time over warm water.
Tracking Toward the Gulf Coast
Meteorologist Marissa Torres says developing beyond a depression will be tough. She points to strong winds and land proximity as obstacles. The National Hurricane Center is placing a moderate chance of Invest 93L developing into a depression during the next two days. Even better odds are expected over the next week. Forecast models suggest a potential landfall close to the northern Gulf Coast by Wednesday or Thursday. Heavy rain will hit Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and inland areas. Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross says there’s uncertainty about the system’s exit speed over Gulf Coast regions this weekend.
South Florida No Longer Flooded
The rainfall on Monday was as expected. NEXT Weather issued Weather Alert Days for Monday and Tuesday. They rated a Level 2 of 4 for excessive rainfall. Storms did not “pin” along the coast. That kept worst-case flooding from happening. There is a weather disturbance off the coast of Florida that might get classified as a tropical depression sometime this week. The low will trend west across Florida on Tuesday. On midweek, it shall move into the northeastern Gulf.
Heavy Rain This Week
The National Hurricane Center says the system has a 40% chance of developing in 2-7 days. Some of the regions of Florida may encounter flash flooding later this week, irrespective of the storm’s particular course. Those flood concerns could be active for some portions of the north-central Gulf Coast. As much as 5 inches of rain can accumulate over South Florida by Wednesday. Worst-case spots could see 5-7 inches. East Coast metro areas are at higher risk.
Potential for Tropical Storm Dexter
Should the system gain enough strength, it would take the name Tropical Storm Dexter. NOAA is predicting anywhere between 13 and 19 named storms occurring this season. Out of those, it’s forecast that 6 to 10 storms may intensify into hurricanes. Forecasters also expect 3-5 of these to grow into major hurricanes above Category 3 intensity. Colorado State University researchers updated their forecast last week. They now expect a slightly less active season than they did earlier.
To Support our independent investigative journalism contributions are welcome via Cashapp to: $BlackStarNews
Also support Black Star News by buying merch from our brand new Black Star Store!