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.
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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.
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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.
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