JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The disorganized shower and thunderstorm low pressure system lingering in the Gulf of Mexico doesn’t seem to be dissipating anytime soon.
A broad area of low pressure is expected to form over the southwestern or south-central Gulf of Mexico this weekend, and thereafter some gradual development is possible while the low moves slowly eastward or northeastward.
A broad area of low pressure is expected to develop from this system over the southwestern or south-central Gulf of Mexico during the next day or, and additional subsequent development is possible while the low moves slowly eastward or northeastward. A tropical or subtropical depression or storm could form during the early to middle part of
next week if the low remains separate from a frontal boundary that is forecast to extend across the Gulf of Mexico next week, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. Chances for a tropical depression to development are now 10%-50% over the next 2-7 days.
What does this mean for our weekend plans? Saturday’s forecast will bring in morning coastal showers and gusty winds that will push inland throughout the day; temperatures will be near normal around 85. Sunday’s forecast is trending a bit cooler with more rain under increasing cloudiness. A lift in the Gulf system will create a rainy weekend for Central Florida, thus setting the stage for our wet weekend.
Hurricane Kirk, a major hurricane with winds of up to 140 mph (Category 4), has weakened slightly while continuing to move northwestward. However, large swells could reach the U.S. east coast by Sunday/Monday morning. On Friday, the rip current risk is high from our Southeast Georgia counties through Northeast Florida counties and will continue to be monitored throughout the weekend.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Leslie continues to show signs of better organization and strengthening into a Category 1 hurricane over the next two to three days. This storm remains a nonthreat to land, for now.