NEWS: National Hurricane Center Warns NEW Storm System May Be Headed for Florida

Florida is no stranger to severe weather. This state has endured torrential downpours, tropical storms, and even hurricanes, and the 2024 hurricane season is proving to be a busy one. In fact, experts predicted that the 2024 hurricane season will be worse than previous years, calling this a “potentially explosive” weather period.

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Hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November, putting us right in the middle of it as we enter August. Forecasters predicted 20 to 25 named storms, with between eight and 12 of those strengthening into hurricanes. Now, as families prepare to go back to school and fall creeps its way closer, we have another potential storm on the horizon.

Florida chief meteorologist Tom Terry of WFTV 9 released a new warning about a storm being tracked over the Dominican Republic. The storm, designated Invest 97L, is currently moving toward Florida and the eastern Gulf of Mexico and could reach Florida by August 3rd. Meteorologist Brian Shields added that warm water temperatures in the upper 80s could contribute to the storm system and may even help strengthen the storm into a hurricane.

HIGHER chance of a Gulf Hurricane…

Good Morning,

The tropical disturbance near Puerto Rico, will push its way west, toward Cuba. By Saturday, the area should be near Western Cuba and across the Florida Keys. At that point it should start to develop. (1/…) pic.twitter.com/F4T3mAadsD

— Brian Shields (@BrianWeather) August 1, 2024

Current predictions cannot fully map the system’s path, but Meteorologist Brian Shields stated, “A hurricane could be very close to the west coast of Florida on Sunday,” noting that at this time, it’s still “a sloppy system that hasn’t even developed yet.” The National Hurricane Center’s latest update shows a seven-day tropical weather outlook with most of Florida in the storm’s path.

8 pm EDT Jul 31: A tropical depression could form this weekend or early next week over the eastern Gulf of Mexico or far southwestern Atlantic, including in the vicinity of Florida, from a tropical wave currently located near Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Continue to… pic.twitter.com/2LxgIKJddY

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 1, 2024

Additionally, the National Hurricane Center warned that a “well-defined tropical wave is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.” Experts currently have the formation chance through the next 48 hours at 20%, but the chance through seven days increases to 60%. We will continue to monitor the reports over the next few days.

©National Hurricane Center

UPDATE: The National Hurricane Center increased its prediction to a high chance (70%) of tropical development over the weekend in the Gulf of Mexico and near Florida.

NEW: Now a high chance (70%) from the National Hurricane Center of tropical development over this weekend in the Gulf of Mexico and near Florida. All of FL should monitor close, a strengthening tropical system could be in the cards as it passes over historically warm waters of… pic.twitter.com/TpVoC974oP

— Noah Bergren (@NbergWX) August 1, 2024

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in the next seven days, you might want to keep your eyes on the weather. A severe storm could cause flight cancelations, ride closures, and transportation delays. If a hurricane develops, Disney may need to close its parks. That said, the system is still in the early stages of formation, so things could change at any time. We will continue to monitor this storm for updates. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest travel news, so stay tuned for more.

Experts Warn of ‘Potentially Explosive’ 2024 Hurricane Season

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