While the National Hurricane Center has lowered its predictions for a tropical system to develop in the Gulf of Mexico over the next seven days, AccuWeather forecasters are urging Florida residents make preparations for some possible impacts.
“The path of a brewing tropical feature over the southern Gulf of Mexico is almost certain to bring dangers and disruptions from heavy rain and flooding to the Florida Peninsula next week,” AccuWeather meteorologists said.
“While the exact track and intensity of the feature unfolding in the Gulf have yet to be determined, Florida will bear the brunt this time around,” AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
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“At this time, the intensity will range from a sprawling tropical rainstorm to perhaps a strike from a more compact, full-blown hurricane.”
Whether it becomes a named storm or not, the system will bring heavy rain to the Florida Peninsula and potentially elsewhere starting around Sunday and extending into next week, said Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist with WeatherTiger. Truchelut is a Florida meteorologist who works with the USA TODAY Network.