A well-defined tropical wave is currently generating widespread showers and thunderstorms over eastern Cuba, Hispaniola, the southeastern Bahamas, and Jamaica, as well as the adjacent waters of the southwestern Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.
This system is anticipated to move near or over Cuba today before entering the Straits of Florida tonight or Saturday.
Favorable environmental conditions are expected to foster further development once the wave reaches the Straits of Florida or the eastern Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Peninsula, potentially leading to the formation of a tropical depression this weekend. As a result, tropical storm watches or warnings may be issued for parts of Florida later today.
Read: Gov. DeSantis Declares State Of Emergency For Multiple Florida Counties Ahead Of Storm
Heavy rains associated with this system pose a threat of flash flooding across Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas throughout the weekend. Residents and visitors in these areas are urged to closely monitor the system’s progress and heed any advisories from local authorities.
To gain a clearer understanding of the system’s structure and potential for development, a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate it later today.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) currently assesses a medium chance of formation (60%) within the next 48 hours and a high chance (90%) within the next seven days. The NHC will continue to provide updates and guidance as the situation evolves.
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