The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a notice advising residents along the Gulf Coast, including Florida, to monitor a growing tropical disturbance in the Caribbean Sea. Just days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm, this new system is catching the attention of meteorologists, though development is still uncertain.
System Shows Potential for Growth
The NHC’s latest advisory indicates that while this large and disorganized area of low pressure is producing thunderstorms over the western and southwestern Caribbean, conditions could become more favorable for development. Currently, the system is moving slowly west-northwestward, and by late this week or over the weekend, a tropical depression could form in the southern Gulf of Mexico or northwestern Caribbean Sea.
Development Timetable Shifts
Earlier forecasts suggested a tropical depression could form by midweek. However, the NHC has now pushed back the timeline, citing environmental conditions that may slow development. The chance of formation remains low in the next 48 hours (10%), but that probability increases to 40% over the next seven days.
Floridians Still Reeling from Hurricane Helene
This disturbance comes at a time when many Floridians are still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. The storm caused severe flooding, widespread power outages, and left behind a path of destruction in the Big Bend region, with winds exceeding 140 mph.
Stay Prepared and Informed
With hurricane season still in full swing, residents along the Gulf Coast, particularly in Florida, are urged to stay informed and prepared as the situation evolves. While the exact path and intensity of the new disturbance remain uncertain, the NHC advises continued monitoring as the system moves closer to the Gulf of Mexico.