Your Storm Station is tracking 3 and watching 2. As we approach the busiest month of the hurricane season, the Tropics are already getting mighty busy!
Tropical Depression #8
Over in the Atlantic, this system is located Southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Because the center of the depression will be over North Carolina late Tuesday, a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from Cape Lookout to Oregon Inlet. Additional advisories might be issued late Monday.
Tropical Depression #9
Closer to home, the National Hurricane Center classified this poorly organized area as a depression on Sunday. While there are no coastal watches or warnings in place, it is forecast to pass north of western Cuba on Monday and move farther into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by Monday night.
South Florida is not in the cone of concern, but indirect impacts are forecast. As the system begins to intensify and make a last minute turn to the East, models suggest rainfall accumulations will reach 5″ over the southern Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys through Wednesday.
Which will get the H-name or the I-name? Will Tropical Depression #8 beat #9 to the punch? Only time will tell.
Hurricane Gaston
Lastly, this category 3 hurricane is clocking sustained winds at 115 mph and located many miles away E of Bermuda. As Gaston drifts Northward and toward the Azores, additional weakening is forecast during the next 2 days.
Formation Potential
Offshore of the central coast of Texas, a weak area of low pressure is producing showers and some storms over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Strong upper-level winds and nearby land will inhibit develop. Because of this, formation chances are low in the next 2 days and through the next 5 days.
Over by the west coast of Africa, a tropical wave has a medium chance at 50% for gradual development later on this week.
Here at Home…
All eyes are on Tropical Depression #9. As it is just South of Florida, moisture is creeping up and causing widespread rain. Parents, pack the rain gear for the kids! Conditions are going to be wet, stormy, and cloudy for the majority of the week.
Meteorologist Natacha Galindo
Weather Producer
WSVN, Channel 7