National Hurricane Center watching 2 tropical waves. Here's Polk County's forecast
There's a beautiful map on the National Hurricane Center's website this morning.
There are no disturbances on forecasters' tropical outlook map and the message displayed is "Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 7 days."
Of course, anything can — and has — happened and conditions can change at any moment so Florida residents should remain vigilant, especially until the official end of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season on Nov. 30.
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AccuWeather forecasters are saying there is a medium chance for development of a tropical depression or storm next week.
What grew into Hurricane Oscar over the weekend, impacting Cuba and the Bahamas, has now dissipated over the open Atlantic, moving away from Florida and the U.S. The National Hurricane Center issued its last advisory on Oscar at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The next named storms of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will be Patty and Rafael.
Here's the latest advisory from the NHC as of 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23:
Is there another tropical storm or hurricane coming toward Florida?
No, but AccuWeather meteorologists said there is a medium chance of tropical development in the Caribbean Sea next week.
"We suspect there will be another attempt for a tropical depression or tropical storm to brew in the western Caribbean during the middle to the latter part of next week," said Bernie Rayno, AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist.
Record warm waters that have helped spur tropical development throughout the season continue, especially in the Caribbean. Combine that with low chances for wind shear and you have conditions that support development of tropical cyclones.
"A large storm or gyre may again form near the western Caribbean, which, when factoring in warm waters and low wind shear, could foster new but slow development.," AccuWeather said.
"The track of any new tropical feature in the Caribbean will depend on exactly where it forms and the overall strength and movement of non-tropical features farther to the north over the United States and the western Atlantic," AccuWeather said.
What else is out there and how likely are they to strengthen?
As of 8 a.m., the National Hurricane Center was tracking no tropical disturbances in the Atlantic basin, which consists of the northern Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.
While there is nothing on the tropical outlook map, NHC forecasters did say there are a couple of tropical waves out there, including one in the eastern Caribbean:
Central Atlantic: A tropical wave near 44W from 15N southward is moving west at 17 mph.
Eastern Caribbean: A tropical wave n eastern Caribbean tropical wave near 62W, west of Dominica and Martinique is moving west at 11 to 17 mph. It's bringing a few showers to the northern Leeward Islands.
Who is likely to be impacted?
Forecasters urge all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared.
What's Polk County's forecast through the weekend?
The National Weather Service's forecast for Polk County couldn't be any better — especially for local efforts to alleviate persistent flooding in Lakeland. It won't make the water move any faster, but it won't add to the problem either.
Expect no rain, except maybe a few short-lived meandering showers. Temperatures will range from the low 60s to the mid-80s.
A plan is in place: Is relief coming soon for flooded Lake Bonny neighborhoods?
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North northeast wind 6 to 10 mph.
Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. North northeast wind 3 to 8 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East northeast wind 3 to 8 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. East northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
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When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Countdown clock: When will hurricane season end?
Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city
What's next?
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(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: NHC tracking 2 tropical waves. Polk County forecast through weekend
