The next name on the Atlantic hurricane season list is “Chris” and The Storm Center is monitoring a weak and disorganized tropical disturbance located just east of Florida.
This system will continue to travel to the north-northwest and is likely to bring direct impacts to the Carolinas onto the Mid-Atlantic throughout the weekend.
For Florida, our weather pattern will be more associated with a stationary front meandering to the north.
🌦️ Rain chances increase today as the Saharan dust begins to exit the region
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) July 11, 2024
🧭 Showers along the Nature Coast this morning will shift south throughout the day as moisture pushes into the state
⚡️ Isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon#FLwx pic.twitter.com/xnwTUZ7Zyc
It is typical for this time of the year to have tropical disturbances form either over the Gulf of Mexico or over the far western Atlantic adjacent to the Carolinas or Florida.
The current weather pattern closes in a weak low-pressure system within its attached cold front draped over the southeast onto the Deep South.
Of course, this cold front is very weak and will continue to lose punch becoming stationary. The stationary front will increase the rain and thunderstorm activity across the southeast including Florida.
🏜️Saharan dust lingering over the state is reason the sky looks a bit hazy today. This will hang around till Friday. What does it mean for the weather? Lower rain chances, a little less humid, and pretty sunsets. #flwx pic.twitter.com/sTjhZo3FEH
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) July 10, 2024
Florida has been dealing with Saharan dust which has exacerbated the heat, ramping the heat indices to over 105F.
Many places in Central and South Florida have been under advisories for days. The heat will stay, but at least many more places will have intermittent relief as storms take over.
Make sure to check your local weather forecast and plan accordingly. Some afternoon thunderstorms could be strong to severe and include some strong gusts and frequent lightning.
Will the tropical disturbance develop?
The tropical disturbance has a low chance of developing, but conditions will not turn favorable as it inches closer to the Carolinas. So it is not likely that "Chris" would be born from this system.
Regardless, the Carolinas should monitor this system closely as it will still bring heavy rains and storms. Rainfall between 3 to 4 inches with some areas accumulating higher amounts.
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— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) July 10, 2024
⏰ 4 sessions daily July 29-August 1st, register & learn more here⬇️https://t.co/R8AWHEfVGY pic.twitter.com/GlsedxJlr3
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