Tropical Depression Nine Could Become Major Hurricane Threat For Florida
Tropical Depression Nine is tracking through the Caribbean Sea and may become a serious hurricane threat for the northwestern Caribbean and Southeast U.S. next week, including Florida.
As the state prepares for the storm, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 24 counties. This will make more resources available for storm preparation and will also activate members of the Florida National Guard to be put on standby ahead of the storm’s arrival.
We are still in the very early stage of tracking this latest system. There are aspects of the forecast in which we have more confidence, while others remain uncertain, which is typical for tropical forecasting this far out in time.
Here’s a look at everything we know right now.
Latest Status
Tropical Depression Nine is located in the central Caribbean Sea and is moving west-northwest.
It’s still battling wind shear, but finally became organized enough to be deemed a tropical depression on Friday morning.
Heavy rain is the main threat from this system right now in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Flash flooding and mudslides are possible in these areas.
Forecast Track, Intensity
The system is forecast to become a tropical storm later today or tonight.
It would be named either Hermine or Ian depending on if it or another system in the far eastern Atlantic becomes a tropical storm first.
This future tropical storm is forecast by the National Hurricane Center to become a hurricane in the northwest Caribbean by late this weekend or early next week. Rapid intensification is possible during that time, which means a wind speed increase of at least 35 mph in 24 hours or less.
It could then be located anywhere from the eastern Gulf of Mexico to near the Florida Peninsula as a major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger) by next Tuesday or Wednesday.
(The red-shaded area denotes the potential path of the center of the tropical cyclone. It’s important to note that impacts (particularly heavy rain, high surf, coastal flooding, winds) with any tropical cyclone usually spread beyond its forecast path. )
Lower wind shear and an ample supply of warm, deep water in the Caribbean Sea are factors expected to contribute to the system’s strengthening in the coming days.
Land interaction with Cuba could be a slight hindering factor to its development before any potential approach to the eastern Gulf of Mexico or Florida early next week.
Caribbean Threats
As mentioned earlier, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are facing a threat of heavy rain right now.
Interests in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Cuba should monitor the forecast for this system closely.
Flooding rain could at least be a concern in these areas starting this weekend. Tropical storm or even hurricane conditions could also occur depending on the exact track and strength of this system.
What Is The U.S. Threat?
Unlike what we’ve seen with hurricanes Earl and Fiona, this system’s forecast steering winds make it a significant threat to the mainland U.S. next week.
The majority of computer forecast models curl the system to a location somewhere from the eastern Gulf of Mexico to near Florida or even off Florida’s Atlantic coast in the Tuesday to Wednesday timeframe. It could be at hurricane strength as it tracks near these areas.
That said, a stalled front will keep South Florida stormy this weekend, and bands of heavier rain well ahead of the system could arrive in southern Florida as soon as Monday.
(The lines on this graphic represent several of the many track forecasts from various computer models. This is not an official forecast, but these are used as guidance for creating the projected path.)
This isn’t just a Florida or Gulf Coast story.
This system will then either move inland somewhere over the Southeast U.S., or could track near or along parts of the Eastern Seaboard later next week.
It’s far too soon to tell where this system will end up, but there could be wind, flooding rain and other impacts extending into other parts of the East late next week.
For now, all interests near and along the Gulf Coast, including Florida, and in the Eastern U.S. should monitor the forecast and make sure hurricane plans are in place, in case they are needed.
Check back with us at weather.com for the very latest on this developing situation.
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