National Hurricane Center forecasts another quiet day in tropics as Florida heat continues
As the heat continues across Florida, the tropics remain quiet, thanks in part to Saharan dust and wind shear.
While the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be extremely busy, it's not unusual at this time of year for there to be no activity before the busiest months begin. AccuWeather forecasters predict activity should begin to ramp up toward the end of July and early August.
No disturbances were noted on the tropical outlook map this morning, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters are monitoring two tropical waves, including one in the Caribbean Sea.
Historically, 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.
Heat advisories issued for several Florida counties
A heat advisory means dangerous conditions exist. Residents are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors.
If you have to work outside, schedule frequent rest breaks in the shade or air-conditioned area. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency; call 911.
Areas under a heat advisory today include:
Palm Beach County: Heat index up to 110 today.
Broward County: Heat index up to 110 today.
Miami-Dade County: Heat index up to 110 today.
Escambia County: Heat index up to 108 today.
Santa Rosa County: Heat index up to 108 today.
Washington County: Heat index up to 108 today.
Florida weather radar, forecast
Pensacola: 40% chance for showers. High near 90.
Tallahassee: 70% chance for showers and thunderstorms. High 94.
Jacksonville: 70% chance for showers and thunderstorms. High 94.
Daytona Beach: 40% chance for showers and thunderstorms. High 90. Heat index 100 to 105.
Melbourne: Sunny with high near 90. Heat index 100 to 105.
Port St. Lucie: 20% chance for showers and thunderstorms. High 92. Heat index 100 to 105.
West Palm Beach: 30% chance for showers and thunderstorms. High 87. Heat index 100 to 105.
Naples: 20% chance for showers and thunderstorms. High 92. Heat index 100 to 105.
Fort Myers: 10% chance for isolated thunderstorms. High 94. Heat index up to 102.
Sarasota: 40% chance for showers and thunderstorms. High 90. Heat index up to 104.
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 over the next 7-10 days. 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 17:
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 central Atlantic is moving west at 17 mph.
Tropical wave 2: A tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean is moving west at 11 to 17 mph.
Who is likely to be impacted?
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 3 tropical waves. Florida heat advisories, forecast
