The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has alerted the public that a new disturbance near Florida could form into a tropical depression this weekend.
This latest update about the disturbance further reveals that these storms have days to organize and form into a stronger system before they hit Florida.
A New Hurricane Update
According to the NHC meteorologists, there is currently a large tropical wave over the Lesser Antilles.
This system is disorganized and has many thunderstorms and showers. However, NHC experts have clarified that this disturbance still has time to form a more coherent system.
What Is a Tropical Wave?
A tropical wave is an elongated area of low pressure moving east to west across the tropics. The wave is also known as an easterly wave.
The good weather is to the west of this system. However, clouds and heavy rain are to the east of the system. These waves can then lead to a tropical storm.
Tropical Storm Debby
Forecasters have named it Tropical Storm Debby, the fourth storm of the 2024 season.
Experts have warned Florida residents that it will be a category 1 hurricane. Residents are advised to take shelter or evacuate the area until it is safe to return.
When This Formation May Happen
Meteorologists have explained that they don’t believe any short-term development will occur as this disturbance moves over parts of the Greater Antilles.
Experts do believe, however, that some level of development could happen once the system moves toward the Bahamas and Cuba, moving west-northwestward.
Trackers Are Closely Watching the Situation
Trackers have been closely watching the situation to determine the damage and path of destruction the hurricane is predicted to take.
This allows them to raise the alarm should a serious situation arise, giving those affected plenty of time to prepare and ensure they stay out of harm’s way.
Ideal Weather Conditions
This development could begin in this region, as forecasters have explained that there are ideal weather conditions for this to happen.
As a result, they are now saying that there is a 60% chance that the development of this system will occur sometime in the next seven days.
A Tropical Depression Could Hit Florida
If this system does develop as forecasters now think it will, then a tropical depression could hit Florida sometime over the weekend, or early next week.
This depression comes only a few weeks after Hurricane Beryl hit the United States, though the hurricane mainly affected the Gulf Coast and Texas.
NHC Warns the Public
Because this system could be forming soon, the NHC has alerted the public to be wary of what the next week could bring.
Forecasters have warned residents in the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas and parts of the southeastern United States, such as Florida, to pay attention to weather reports for the next few days.
A State of Emergency
Due to the severity of Tropical Storm Debby, Florida has been put under a state of emergency, and residents have been warned to prepare for what’s to come.
The NHC was fairly confident that the storm would turn into a tropical depression at the very least and, if not that, a tropical storm or hurricane.
Preparing for the Storm
When the state of emergency was declared, Florida residents were warned to prepare themselves for the upcoming storm before it hit the area.
This included filling cars with gas in case residents needed a quick escape and making sure they had gone to the grocery store so they didn’t run out of food.
South and East Florida Should Be Prepared
Residents of South, East and Central Florida have been told to be prepared and to monitor weather alerts to determine the best course of action.
The impact isn’t always known a while in advance, and can sometimes only be known for certain a day or two before it hits.
Southwest Florida Has No Warning
Compared to the rest of the state, Southwest Florida has no warnings for the system and hopes it might miss the area altogether.
The only advice is to be prepared just in case the system does hit. As hurricanes are aplenty at this time of year, it is better to be prepared with supplies and not need them than to need supplies and not be prepared.
A Difficult Hurricane Season?
This latest tropical depression comes after forecasters have warned Americans that they may experience a very active and dangerous hurricane season this year.
Meteorologists have explained that, as the temperatures warm on Earth, the ocean waters warm as well. This could lead to a higher chance of hurricanes.
Hurricane Beryl Devastated the U.S.
So far, Florida hasn’t had to deal with any major hurricane systems heading its way this year.
Just a few weeks ago, Hurricane Beryl smashed into the Gulf Coast and Texas, leaving parts of the southeast heavily impacted. Houston residents also had to suffer for days without electricity.
An Upcoming Busy Hurricane Season
While the hurricane season has been relatively quiet — though meteorologists were very worried about how quickly Beryl was forming — experts do say that the next few months may be difficult.
From late August to early October, a hyperactive period may see many tropical storm or hurricane formations.
Ron DeSantis Has Been Blamed
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been blamed in part for the severity of the hurricanes due to his refusal to talk about or even consider climate change.
Many scientists have referred to climate change as causing severe weather changes. As Florida is one of the worst-hit areas during hurricane season, its residents expect more from their governor.
Saharan Dust in Florida
Florida may not have had to deal with any major tropical storms or hurricanes so far because of the Saharan dust that has flown over the Atlantic Ocean.
This dust arrived in Florida, all the way from Africa, last week. Weather experts have explained that this dust can keep hurricanes from forming as it moves over the ocean.
Florida’s Dangerous Future
Unfortunately, experts have explained that a tropical storm or a hurricane will likely eventually hit Florida sometime this year — and they’re worried about what could happen.
Florida has struggled to deal with massive flooding situations already this year. A hurricane could ruin parts of Southern Florida.
August Is the Peak of Hurricane System
Florida’s issue is that August is the peak of hurricane season. This means that more hurricanes are expected to come.
In the right conditions, the systems spotted by the NHC are more likely to turn into tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes.
Systems Need Favorable Conditions
A system needs favorable weather conditions to fully develop. When traveling west, it first needs to survive hostile conditions.
This enables the system to develop into a storm as long as it manages this and encounters some more favorable conditions.
A Disturbance After Hurricane Debby
With Hurricane Debby already making its way through Florida and beyond, the NHC has already warned of another disturbance coming.
This disturbance has yet to be named but has been spotted around the Windward Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is currently carrying disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
10-30% Chance of Development
The NHC believes this disturbance has a 10% chance of developing within the next 2 days and a 30% chance of developing within the next week.
While Florida’s residents are barely recovering from Hurricane Debby’s destruction, they are also having to prepare for another storm immediately afterward.
Flooding in Southern Florida
For example, parts of Southern Florida, such as Miami, were hit with a particularly strong rainstorm earlier this summer, which left streets completely flooded.
Residents are now concerned that if a hurricane or tropical storm hits these areas again, it will only further cause flooding and massive complications.
