Tropics watch: 1st tropical disturbance of 2022 hurricane season moves onshore west of Pensacola
The first tropical disturbance of the 2022 hurricane season formed Sunday afternoon in the north-central Gulf of Mexico.
The system moved onshore Sunday night about 15 miles west-northwest of Pensacola, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Squalls associated with the area of low pressure delivered a peak wind gust of 55 mph as it came ashore Sunday night.
By 8 a.m., it was located over south-central Alabama.
Locally heavy rains associated with the system are forecast to spread northeast across portions of the southeastern U.S. over the next day or two.
Today could be one of those days that sneaks up on us in the southeast (GA,SC,NC) where some enhanced spin from that tropical low could lead to a few SEVERE thunderstorms across this area.
Below: 07z HRRR through 8pm. pic.twitter.com/lY0RjTgC42— Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) May 23, 2022
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Southwest winds off the coast of the western Florida Panhandle and the Alabama coast are gradually diminishing as the low moves farther inland.
The forecast today for Pensacola includes an 80 percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. Winds will be out of the south at 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Rain chances are slightly lower for Fort Walton Beach, 60%, and Panama City, 70%. Expect winds around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph around Fort Walton Beach, and around 15 mph in Panama City.
Weather radar shows storms moving through Florida Panhandle, Georgia
The 2022 hurricane season doesn't officially begin until June 1, but storms can form any time.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: 2022 hurricane season begins with first tropical disturbance in Gulf
