ORLANDO, Fla. – Area of disorganized showers and storms found over the western Caribbean is now deemed Invest 97L. It’s expected to move into the southern Gulf of Mexico by midweek and potentially forming into a tropical depression.
It’s forecast to continue strengthening as it tracks north into the Gulf of Mexico.
As of Sunday at 2 p.m., the NHC has highlighted the northwestern Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico with a 40% chance for tropical development in the next 24-48 hours and a high 80% for tropical development in the next 7 days.
The developing system in the western Caribbean is expected to bring heavy rains to portions of Central America during the next several days regardless.
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Right now, models are mainly useful for predicting potential development. Until a system forms, timing and paths will continue to change, but many are starting to agree on possible impacts in the eastern Gulf later this week.
The likelihood of a Gulf system forming is increasing. We might see a named storm by Tuesday or Wednesday that moves into the Gulf by then. Land impacts could occur from Friday to Saturday, likely along the Florida coastline.
Communities along the northern and northeastern Gulf of Mexico are advised to monitor the system’s progress throughout the week, according to the NHC, though it’s still too early to determine any specific impacts on Central Florida.
Hurricane season runs through November. The next name on the list is Helene.
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