Tropical Depression Nine will likely strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico this week and eventually move over parts of Florida Thursday.
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Tropical depression nine looks as though it will track into the Gulf of Mexico and pick up steam. “Other threats with this storm include isolated tornadoes and gusty winds”. It is forecast to strengthen to a tropical storm by Monday afternoon.
Hurricane Gaston is expected to pass by Bermuda early in the week before heading on a course into the open Atlantic.
Two tropical depressions and a hurricane in the Atlantic basin are keeping hurricane forecasters busy. As of early Monday, the system was located about 85 nautical miles west-northwest of Havana, Cuba.
The depression’s maximum sustained winds early Monday are near 35 miles per hour, with some strengthening expected during the next two days.
Forecasters at Ruskin’s National Weather Service are warning Tampa Bay area residents to keep a close eye on the depression as it moves into the Gulf. After that time, a mid-latitude shortwave trough moving through the northeastern United States is forecast to erode the ridge and cause the cyclone to recurve Northeastward into the westerlies. “In addition, wind will begin to approach tropical storm force on some of the Gulf waters along with building seas”.
A possible tropical storm is around 400 miles off the shores of North Carolina. Maximum sustained winds were clocking at 35 miles per hour (55 khp), with higher gusts.
The strongest winds from the storm will be felt along the Outer Banks Tuesday where gusts up to 40 or 45mph are possible.
Meanwhile, another tropical depression that formed west of Bermuda was moving toward the coast of North Carolina. Should the depression progress, it will be officially called Tropical Storm Hermine. NOAA aircraft are scheduled to investigate both Tropical Depressions today.
Rain chances in Central Florida on Monday stand at 50-60 percent, with highs in the low 90s.
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Forecasters say Gaston should slow down during the next day or so and turn northward on Monday. It has been given a 10 percent chance of further development over the next five days.
