Tropical storm warning, watch extended as potential tropical storm nears Florida
The tropical storm warning and watch in effect in Florida have been extended and a storm surge watch has been issued as Potential Tropical Cyclone Four inches closer to the Sunshine State, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
The NHC put tropical storm warning and watches into effect Friday morning for the southwest coast of the Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys south of the Card Sound Bridge as what could soon become Tropical Storm Debby is forecasted to make landfall along Florida's West Coast over the weekend.
The tropical storm warning has been extended northward along the west coast of the Florida peninsula from Bonita Beach to Boca Grande, and the tropical storm watch now extends from Aripeka to the mouth of the Suwannee River.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Four is expected to develop into a tropical storm Saturday as it moves across the Straights of Florida, where it is expected to intensify into Tropical Storm Debby by Saturday Night.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Four is now located over eastern Cuba, about 315 miles southeast of Key West, according to the latest advisory. It is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph, and it's expected to turn toward the northwest at a slower forward speed tonight or Saturday before pivoting toward the north on Sunday.
? Live storm tracker: Potential Tropical Cyclone Four
? Current weather alerts: Potential Tropical Cyclone Four
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday declared a state of emergency for 54 of Florida's 67 counties ahead of the storm, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
"Keep in mind the tropical cyclone will be strengthening as it moves north, so the farther north it gets before landfall, the better of a shot that it has to attain hurricane status," said the National Weather Service Tallahassee.
Maximum sustained winds are still near 30 mph. If sustained winds reach 39 mph, it would become Tropical Storm Debby, the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
Where is Potential Tropical Cyclone Four?
Location: 25 miles West of Camaguey, Cuba; 315 miles southeast of Key West
Maximum sustained winds: 30 mph
Movement: west-northwest at 16 mph
Next advisory: 8 p.m.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Four expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby
At 5 p.m., the disturbance was centered near latitude 21.4 North, longitude 78.3 West.
The system is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph. A turn toward the northwest at a slower forward speed is expected tonight or Saturday, followed by a turn toward the north on Sunday.
On the forecast track, the disturbance is expected to move over Cuba today, cross the Straits of Florida on Saturday, and then move near or over the west coast of Florida Saturday night through Sunday night.
Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph, with higher gusts.
The disturbance is expected to develop into a tropical depression on Saturday as it moves across the Straits of Florida, followed by intensification into a tropical storm by Saturday night.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1012 mb.
Formation chance through 48 hours: high, 80 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days: high, 90 percent.
Tropical storm watches and warnings issued for portions of Florida
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
Southwest coast of the Florida peninsula from Bonita Beach to Boca Grande
A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
The Florida Keys south of the Card Sound Bridge including the Dry Tortugas .
The southern coast of the Florida peninsula east of East Cape Sable to the Card Sound Bridge.
The west coast of the Florida peninsula from Aripeka to the mouth of the Suwannee River.
A storm surge watch is in effect for:
The west coast of the Florida peninsula from Bonita Beach northward to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tamp Bay and Charlotte Harbor.
Tropical storm warning vs. tropical storm watch
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Potential impact from tropical cyclone
WINDS: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area late Saturday and Saturday night. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in the Florida Keys and the southern Florida peninsula by Saturday or Saturday night. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area along the Florida west coast Saturday night or Sunday.
STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
Aripeka to Card Sound Bridge, 1-3 feet
Tampa Bay...1-3 feet
Charlotte Harbor...1-3 feet
RAINFALL: Potential Tropical Cyclone Four is expected to produce rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with maximum rainfall totals up to 12 inches, across portions of Florida and near the Southeast U.S. coast this weekend through Wednesday morning. This rainfall could result in areas of flash and urban flooding, with isolated river flooding possible.
What impact can Florida expect from Invest 97L
"Downpours and gusty thunderstorms will spread westward across Cuba and the western islands of the Bahamas on Friday before spreading over the Florida Keys and the southern part of the Florida Peninsula on Saturday.
"Along with the potential for urban flooding will be the risk of waterspouts and hazards for beach and boating interests, at the very least," AccuWeather said.
"As the system approaches and begins to strengthen, rip currents will increase in strength and number along the Florida coastline this weekend.
"Should the storm stay east of Florida, the rough surf conditions will spread northward along the Atlantic coast. If the center migrates farther to the northwest, then surf conditions will build along the Gulf Coast."
Storm tracker: Monitor tropical wave as it moves toward Florida
Contributor: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Tropical Storm Debby expected to form Saturday night. What we know
