Invest 92L Likely to Develop into Tropical Storm Milton, Significant Rainfall Expected in Florida
Invest 92L in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico is likely to develop into a tropical storm named Milton, bringing heavy rainfall to Florida late this weekend through mid-next week. The NHC is also monitoring Hurricane Kirk, a Category 3 storm, and Hurricane Leslie, which has intensified to a Category 1 hurricane. Preparations are advised as flash flooding risks increase in Florida.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has identified a disturbance, designated as Invest 92L, situated in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, which is increasingly becoming organized. The likelihood of its development into a tropical depression or tropical storm is high, with expectations for rapid eastward or northeastward movement across the warm waters of the central and eastern Gulf. Should this system evolve into a tropical storm or hurricane, it will be named Milton. Regardless of further development, significant rainfall is anticipated across much of Florida starting late this weekend and extending into the middle of the following week. Heavy downpours are expected to begin in South and Central Florida, particularly affecting areas along and south of Interstate 4, with Dr. Ryan Truchelut of WeatherTiger predicting accumulations exceeding five inches, and local amounts could reach up to ten inches, raising concerns for flash flooding. In parallel to these developments, the NHC is currently monitoring Hurricane Kirk, a formidable Category 3 storm situated 990 miles northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands, with maximum sustained winds reaching 125 mph. Kirk is predicted to maintain its strength for the next several days, substantially impacting coastal areas of the U.S. with hazardous surf conditions and rip currents due to its generated swells. Additionally, Tropical Storm Leslie has intensified to a Category 1 hurricane in the eastern Atlantic but is not expected to make landfall. The NHC is also observing a tropical wave moving off the western coast of Africa, carrying a 30% probability of development within the next week.
Hurricane season in the Atlantic typically occurs from June 1 through November 30, with heightened activity observed between mid-August and mid-October. The National Hurricane Center plays a vital role in monitoring and providing timely updates on tropical systems that pose potential threats to land, especially in hurricane-prone regions such as the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. East Coast. The authority includes issuing advisories even before a storm is officially categorized when there is a risk of impact, ensuring that residents are adequately warned and can prepare accordingly. The current weather systems under observation—Invest 92L, Hurricane Kirk, and Hurricane Leslie—highlight the unpredictable nature of tropical storms and the importance of preparedness in affected areas.
In summary, Invest 92L is poised to impact Florida with significant rainfall expected from the late weekend through mid-next week, and the likelihood of development into a named storm is considerable. Concurrently, Hurricane Kirk remains a powerful system threatening coastal areas with dangerous surf, while Hurricane Leslie is maintaining its course without land interaction. Observations continue, and residents should remain vigilant and updated on the unfolding weather conditions in the Atlantic and Gulf regions.
Original Source: www.heraldtribune.com
