A tropical disturbance near Cuba is heading toward Florida and could develop into a tropical depression or tropical storm this weekend.
There is an 80% chance that it will strengthen into a tropical depression over the weekend and a 90% chance that it will strengthen into a tropical depression over the next seven days. If it strengthens into a named storm, it will be called Debby.
Look at the tropics.
ABC News
Regardless of the potential storm’s strength, it is expected to bring up to 6 to 8 inches of rain to parts of Florida’s west coast as well as coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 54 counties.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Florida from East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach.
Current forecasts call for the system to become a tropical depression by Saturday morning as it moves across Cuba.
The outer bands will reach South Florida Saturday morning and bring scattered thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds.
The storm will continue to strengthen as it approaches the west coast of the Florida peninsula and is expected to make landfall Sunday or Sunday night. Flash flooding is expected Sunday.
By Monday morning, the storm will move toward the Atlantic Ocean or near the southeast coast, potentially bringing rain and wind to the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. But that forecast could change.
Heavy rains will likely affect coastal areas of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina through Wednesday.
The Atlantic hurricane season intensifies throughout August and typically peaks in September.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an above-average hurricane season this year. NOAA scientists are predicting between 17 and 25 named storms, compared to an average of 14; between eight and 13 hurricanes, compared to an average of seven; and between four and seven major hurricanes, compared to an average of three.
