They say there is a 30% chance for a tropical depression or storm to develop over the next 48 hours and a 60% chance it will develop over the next five days. Packing maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour, the storm has weakened somewhat since it was downgraded from a hurricane back to a tropical storm Thursday. This large disturbance is tracking west-northwest and has an 80% chance of developing into Tropical Storm Hermine as it moves over the Bahamas this weekend. The storm is located about 1,065 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands.
Advertisement
Even if the storm remains a messy tangle of thunderstorms, forecasters warn Hispaniola and central Cuba could get hit today with heavy rains that could trigger risky flash floods and mudslides. 99L is expected to make landfall in Southern Florida on Sunday with heavy rainfall and gusty winds.
A broad area of low pressure near Cuba is not expected to develop into anything. At present, the storm is kicking up disorganized showers and thunderstorms, the hurricane center reported Friday morning.
The National Hurricane Center predicted 2016 to be the strongest hurricane season since 2012, according to its updated Hurricane Season Outlook released in August. This region has a 90% chance of development over the next 5 days and could become a tropical depression over the weekend. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Lester was expected to be upgraded to a hurricane by Saturday. Even if Invest 99L never becomes organized into a tropical storm or hurricane, parts of southeastern Florida will experience high winds, torrential rain, and possible flash flooding.
Advertisement
Far out in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Gaston could continue to gain strength but will stay east of Bermuda this weekend. The more likely one puts it on a path toward the Texas gulf coast or Louisiana.
