The National Hurricane Center is predicting a 20% chance of a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico developing into a depression or tropical storm over the next seven days, despite the weather system that drenched much of Florida with heavy rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday being unofficially classified as a tropical storm.
In spite of this, the hurricane center stated that “regardless of development, heavy rainfall is expected across portions of Florida during the next few days,”
The hurricane center stated that throughout the next three days, the system is predicted to track northeast across Florida. Nearly two feet of rain might fall in some places, according to AccuWeather.
A flood alert was issued
According to the National Weather Service, the rain will mostly cause isolated flash floods in certain parts of the state, with low-lying regions, roadways, small streams, and urban areas being the most susceptible.
Much of South Florida was under a flood watch by the weather service, which warned that several periods of intense rain may swiftly cause roadways and streams above their flood table to flood.
By Wednesday night, the meteorological service predicted that rainfall totals in the Florida Keys might be between two and three inches. Within the same time frame, Southwest Florida and the Lake Okeechobee region should see 6–9 inches of rain, while Miami should see 2–5 inches.
Rain to relieve heat and drought
According to AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham, “drought conditions have steadily increased across the peninsula throughout the spring months,” so initially the rain will be helpful.
The record-breaking warmth that has been frying the Sunshine State in recent weeks will also come to an end due to the gloomy sky and rainy weather, he predicted.
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An updated prediction
Tuesday saw the release of an updated seasonal hurricane forecast by Klotzbach’s team, which essentially restated the alarming April prognosis: With up to 23 named tropical storms and hurricanes probable, this is projected to be a “very active Atlantic hurricane season.”
“We anticipate a well above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean,” Colorado State University ‘s announcement stated.
Any hurricane with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph that is a Category 3 or above is considered a major hurricane.
The Colorado State projection is in line with many other seasonal hurricane forecasts that predict a busy season because of the exceptionally warm Atlantic water and the possibility of the Pacific Ocean forming a storm-boosting La Nina pattern.
