Tropical Depression 9 is officially the next named storm of this Atlantic hurricane season. As of Wednesday afternoon, we are now tracking Tropical Storm Hermine moving towards northern Florida in the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hermine could be near hurricane strength by the time landfall occurs on Thursday. The center of Hermine is forecast to move over Northwestern Florida Thursday night through Friday morning.
* A Hurricane Watch is in effect from Anclote River to Indian Pass.
** A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Anclote River to the Walton/Bay County Line.
*** A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from Marineland Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia.
**** The water could reach the following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…
Indian Pass to Ochlockonee River… 2 to 4 feet
Ochlockonee River to Chassahowitzka… 3 to 5 feet
Chassahowitzka to Aripeka… 2 to 4 feet
Aripeka to Bonita Beach, including Tampa Bay… 1 to 2 feet
LOCAL FORECAST
Deep tropical moisture will linger around South Florida through the end of the work week.
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This will lead to more passing showers and scattered storms. Additionally, we cannot rule out a feeder band associated with Tropical Storm Hermine cutting across South Florida and leading to an anytime downpour through Thursday.
For the Labor Day weekend, expect more scattered showers and storms in the forecast. But, they will be more of a seasonal variety, which means mainly in the afternoon/evening hours through Monday.
MORE ON THE TROPICS
In addition to Hermine, we still have a hurricane and tropical depression in the Atlantic waters.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Hurricane Gaston was churning as a category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds at 105 mph as it moves towards the northeast. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Azores ahead of the storm closing in on the area by Friday.
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There are no coastal watches and warnings in place for Tropical Depression 8 as it continues to weaken and move towards the NE in the Atlantic waters. Models are suggesting this depression could strengthen into a tropical storm by Thursday before it starts losing tropical characteristics by Friday.
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Additionally, we are monitoring an area of low pressure with an associated tropical wave located to the west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Dry air is keeping this feature in check over the eastern Atlantic.
The National Hurricane Center is giving it low chances for development over the next 5 days as it moves closer to the Lesser Antilles.
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