Tropical Storm Alex likely to form this afternoon

Stefania Lugli, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
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The system's current projected path as of 5 a.m. Friday. The system could drop between 6 and 10 inches of rain on Southwest Florida.
The system's current projected path as of 5 a.m. Friday. The system could drop between 6 and 10 inches of rain on Southwest Florida.

Potential Tropical Cycle One is expected to develop into Tropical Storm Alex later Friday, according to a 7 a.m. briefing from the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.

The rainstorm slowly chugging over the Gulf of Mexico should mature into a Tropical Storm by late Friday morning or afternoon once the "low-level circulation" closes off, according to NWS. A system advances into a tropical storm once it reaches sustained winds of 39 mph.

On Thursday, the National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Watch for both Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Live updates: Tropical system approaches Sarasota-Manatee

And: Heavy rains spreading across southern Florida ahead of Potential Tropical Cyclone One

Stephen Shiveley, a meteorologist with NWS Tampa, told the Herald-Tribune that the worst of the storm should be overnight tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Shiveley also said that heavier rainfall is expected inland and closer to the south — predicting 1-2 inches of rain in northern Manatee County and 5-6 inches in south Sarasota County.

There is only a slight possibility of isolated flooding, according to Shiveley.

"This is the beginning of our wet season. If a system was like this was dumping six, eight inches in August after we've been raining and wet and all the rivers are nice and full, it'd be a little more concerning," he said.

Forecast maps from the National Weather Service Miami show a storm surge threat for coastal Sarasota County, starting south of Longboat Key. There is also potential for localized flooding throughout inland Sarasota and Manatee County.

Shiveley said Sarasota County has a 20% chance of sustained tropical-storm-force winds. Additional maps from NWS Miami show that isolated tornados are possible around Osprey and Venice.

The Herald-Tribune previously reported that Manatee County Emergency Management Coordinator Tristan Morath cautioned residents to be prepared for any storm.

“We always try to get our residents to prepare as early as possible, whether there's a storm out there brewing or not,” Morath said.

Shiveley said conditions are expected to calm by noon Saturday.

Stefania Lugli covers a little of everything for the Herald-Tribune while pursuing watchdog/investigative stories. You can contact her at slugli@heraldtribune.com or dm her on Twitter at @steflugli.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Tropical Storm Alex likely to form, bring rain to Sarasota, Manatee