The WPTV First Alert Weather Team is keeping a close eye on Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 and its potential impact on Florida this week.
The disturbance, located Monday in the Caribbean Sea, is forecast to strengthen significantly during the next few days.
It will move into the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to become Hurricane Helene this week.
Forecast models intensify it rather quickly before it makes landfall somewhere in the Florida Panhandle or Big Bend region.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico
- Cuban province of Pinar del Rio
Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico
- Cuban provinces of Artemisa and Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- Dry Tortugas
- Lower Florida Keys south of the Seven Mile Bridge
Some models are hinting that it may become a major hurricane of at least a Category 3.
On the forecast track, the center of the system is forecast to move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico during the next couple of days.
In South Florida and the Treasure Coast, we can expect winds to pick up on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, we will have gusty winds and could experience some of the outer rain bands of the storm. Heavy rainfall is expected through Thursday and potentially Friday. Our area could see up to 3 inches of rain from the system.
Lastly, we have an area of high interest off the west coast of Africa that will move into the Central Atlantic. We have some time until we must worry about this system.
In the meantime, stay with the WPTV First Alert Weather team for the latest on the tropics.
