Tropical Storm Arlene weakens to depression Saturday, further dissipates to remnant low
What was the first named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season was downgraded to a tropical depression Saturday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. ET advisory, and then further dissipated into a remnant low by the NHC's 5 p.m. ET advisory.
Tropical Storm Arlene, which formed Friday afternoon in the Gulf of Mexico west of Florida, weakened late Saturday morning as it moved toward the Florida Keys and northern part of Cuba and became a post-tropical cyclone by late Saturday afternoon.
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Arlene wasn't expected to remain a tropical storm for long and was not expected to make landfall. Rain is expected to be the biggest impact for Florida, with 1 to 2 inches of precipitation with localized amounts of up to 5 inches possible through Saturday night across the southern parts of the state. Heavy rainfall could potentially lead to isolated flash, urban and small stream flooding, according to the NHC.
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First named storm of the 2023 season: Tropical Storm Arlene forms in Gulf of Mexico west of Florida
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A sales tax holiday to help Florida residents purchase hurricane supplies runs through June 9. A second 14-day disaster preparedness tax holiday will run Aug. 26 through Sept. 8.
While the first named storm of the 2023 season was Arlene, it was actually the second storm of the season. A system in January was classified in May as a subtropical storm. Since the classification came during a post analysis, it did not get a name and will be documented as "Unnamed."
Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 5 p.m. ET June 3, the final advisory from the organization on Arlene:
Post-tropical Cyclone Arlene: What you need to know
Location: 135 miles west-southwest of the Dry Tortugas
Maximum sustained winds: 30 miles per hour
Movement: south-southeast at 7 miles per hour
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Weather alerts issued across Florida
What do the watches and warnings from NHC mean?
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Hurricane warning: A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Hurricane watch: A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Tropical storm warning: A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
Tropical storm watch: An announcement that sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the specified area within 48 hours in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone.
Storm surge warning: A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
Storm surge watch: A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: National Hurricane Center: Arlene becomes post-tropical cyclone
