Storm tracker: Tropical depression could soon form in the Gulf, bring heavy rain
The system, now designated as Invest 93L, is forecast to move west across the Florida Peninsula Tuesday, then reach the northeastern Gulf by the middle part of this week, hurricane forecasters said.
The NHC said environmental conditions appear generally favorable for additional development and that a tropical depression could form by the middle to latter part of this week as the system moves across the northeastern and north-central Gulf.
"Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of Florida through mid-week," the hurricane center said, adding that portions of the north-central Gulf Coast could also see flash flooding during the middle to latter portions of this week.
The system currently has a 40% chance for tropical development over the next seven days and a 40% chance over the next 48 hours.
Atlantic storm tracker
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Spaghetti models for Invest 93L
Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Prepare now for hurricanes
Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
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