Tropical storms have formed in this manner in the past, but the process can be very slow.
Advertisement
The disturbance, which has been given a 30 percent chance of forming more over the next five days, is now located over the northeastern Gulf.
The NWS issued a hazardous-weather outlook Saturday afternoon that warned of scattered thunderstorms beginning Saturday evening and a few strong to severe thunderstorms again Sunday and through the next six days.
An area of concern is forming in the big bend area of Florida and could bring soaking rains to the Florida and Alabama coasts in the next few days. The National Weather Service is keeping a close watch on a tropical disturbance that has formed near the state’s northern Gulf Coast. They say the storms are associated with a trough of low pressure which could develop into a system while it hangs out in the Gulf.
Tropical Depression Earl was expected to dissipate over Mexico later on Saturday after it was downgraded from a tropical storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
Cumulative rainfall is likely to exceed 5 inches and could reach 12 inches locally.
It was forecast to move to the northwest and then more to the north next week and had a 20 percent chance of development over the next five days.
Heavy rains and fierce wind gusts hit Mexico Thursday after Earl weakened from hurricane status over Central America.
Advertisement
Earl swept in from the Caribbean at hurricane strength Wednesday, striking just south of Belize’s capital, said the NHC.
