AccuWeather forecasts tropical wave will bring thunderstorms to Florida. Here's when
The tropics remain quiet, thanks in part to Saharan dust, but that doesn't mean perfect weather across Florida, due to a tropical wave approaching the state.
A wave of Saharan dust is expected to arrive in South Florida Saturday morning and move north, arriving around Cape Canaveral by Sunday. The dust is expected to be thickest in South Florida, dissipating as it moves north.
A tropical wave moving across the Leeward Islands Thursday is expected to approach the Florida peninsula Sunday, bringing rain and thunderstorms which could last a few days, according to AccuWeather.
No disturbances were noted on the tropical outlook map this morning, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, indicating no tropical cyclones are expected over the next several days.
The Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical waves.
The peak of hurricane season runs from mid-August through mid-October. If your hurricane supplies are running low, or you haven't started an emergency kit, Florida's next sales tax holiday the end of August can help you save money.
Possible impact of tropical wave on Florida
A tropical wave is expected to move across the Leeward Islands today and approach the Florida peninsula Sunday, bringing downpours and gusty thunderstorms. A couple of waterspouts could occur, according to AccuWeather.
"While we do not expect this system to organize and strengthen, it will bring locally heavy rain to Florida from as early as Sunday to perhaps as long as Tuesday in some areas," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.
"As the system pushes northwestward across the Florida Peninsula early next week, more numerous showers and thunderstorms will break out. This can lead to localized urban flooding and gusty thunderstorms, perhaps capable of triggering sporadic power outages," AccuWeather said.
Florida weather radar, weekend forecast
Pensacola
Friday: High 88. 80% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 87. 100% chance for thunderstorms.
Sunday: High 88. 90% chance for thunderstorms.
Monday: High 87. 80% chance for showers.
Tallahassee
Friday: High 93. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 92. 80% chance for thunderstorms.
Sunday: High 93. 80% chance for thunderstorms.
Monday: High 93. 80% chance for thunderstorms.
Jacksonville:
Friday: High 95. 80% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 94. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Sunday: High 93. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Monday: High 93. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Daytona Beach
Friday: High 91. 50% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 91. 60% chance for thunderstorms, showers.
Sunday: High 90. 60% chance for thunderstorms, showers.
Monday: High 90. 60% chance for thunderstorms, showers.
Melbourne:
Friday: High 91. 50% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 91. 60% chance for thunderstorms, showers.
Sunday: High 90. 50% chance for thunderstorms.
Monday: High 89. 70% chance for thunderstorms, showers.
Port St. Lucie
Friday: High 93. 50% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 93. 50% chance for thunderstorms.
Sunday: High 91. 60% chance for thunderstorms, showers.
Monday: High 90. 70% chance for thunderstorms, showers.
West Palm Beach
Friday: High 88. 50% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 87. 50% chance for thunderstorms.
Sunday: High 86. 60% chance for thunderstorms.
Monday: High 85. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Naples:
Friday: High 91. 60% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 92. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Sunday: High 92. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Monday: High 90. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Fort Myers
Friday: High 93. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 93. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Sunday: High 93. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Monday: High 90. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Sarasota
Friday: High 91. 70% chance for thunderstorms.
Saturday: High 92. 60% chance for thunderstorms.
Sunday: High 93. 60% chance for thunderstorms.
Monday: High 90. 60% chance for thunderstorms.
How long will tropics remain quiet?
"There is a lot of dry air and dust moving off of Africa and spreading across the Atlantic" said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert.
"With all the dust and dry air around, it will make it very difficult for anything to develop. There are signs that at the very end of the month and into the start of August, the dry air may begin to back off and atmospheric conditions are looking a little more favorable for tropical development."
What are chances of hurricane impacting Florida?
"Since our forecast was released in March, we have been concerned about the Texas coast, Panhandle of Florida, South Florida and the Carolinas as having an increased chance of tropical impacts," DaSilva said.
➤ Will hurricane hit Florida during 2024 season?
"We continue to be concerned about those areas. Everyone living in hurricane areas should always have their hurricane plans ready to go.
"We're still expecting a very, very busy season," DaSilva said. "Don't let your guard down. Don't be fooled by the quiet period. We're at the very beginning of hurricane season. It will ramp up and it could ramp up very quickly."
The next storm of the season will be Debby.
Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 2 p.m. July 18:
What is NOAA tracking in Atlantic basin?
The National Hurricane Center said no tropical cyclone activity is expected over the next several days.
Elsewhere in the tropics, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical waves:
Tropical wave 1: A tropical wave in the Atlantic is moving west at 11 to 17 mph.
Tropical wave 2: A tropical waves stretches from the Windward Islands to Colombia. It's moving west at 11 to 17 mph.
Who is likely to be impacted?
A tropical wave approaching the Windward Island could bring tropical moisture to Florida starting Sunday.
Forecasters urge all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared. That advice is particularly important for what is expected to be a very active hurricane season.
When is next Florida hurricane tax-free supplies holiday?
Save on hurricane supplies between Aug. 24 and Sept. 6. This will be the final tax-free holiday for 2024 when it comes to emergency supplies and it comes during the busiest period of the hurricane season.
Can't afford a generator or weeks of food? Here are the basics you should have on hand.
Eligible items included in the tax-free holiday include:
A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less.
A tarp or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less.
An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less.
A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less.
A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less.
A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less.
A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less.
A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less.
A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less.
A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather-band radio with a sales price of $50 or less.
A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less.
A portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) with a sales price of $40 or less, including: flashlights, lanterns and candles.
Eligible light sources and radios qualify for the exemption, even if electrical cords are included in the purchase.
Reusable ice (ice packs) with a sales price of $20 or less.
➤ See full list of items, including pet and cleaning supplies, exempt from sales tax
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
National Hurricane Center map: What are forecasters watching now?
Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include:
Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city
Excessive rainfall forecast
What's next?
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: NHC tracking 2 tropical waves. Thunderstorms possible Florida
