Miami, Fla. – Residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast should prepare for increasing rounds of heavy rain over the next several days as a broad area of showers and thunderstorms drifts northward across the eastern Gulf of America. While tropical development remains unlikely in the short term, the system could still produce locally heavy rainfall and isolated flooding.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the disturbance is associated with an upper-level low and a surface trough over the eastern Gulf. Forecasters say gradual development is possible as the system meanders north, giving it a 10% chance of tropical development through the next 48 hours and a 30% chance over the next seven days.
The greatest concern is expected to be prolonged periods of heavy rain affecting portions of Florida’s west coast, where repeated showers and thunderstorms could produce localized flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Gusty winds and dangerous lightning will also accompany stronger storms.
Communities from the Tampa Bay area south toward Fort Myers and Naples should closely monitor the evolving weather pattern. Even if the system never becomes a tropical depression, tropical moisture can still produce significant rainfall capable of disrupting travel and outdoor activities.
Residents are encouraged to review flood safety plans, avoid driving across water-covered roads and monitor updates from the National Hurricane Center and local National Weather Service offices. Additional advisories and outlooks are expected as forecasters continue tracking the disturbance through the weekend and into early next week.
