Well, hurricane season is certainly not over.
A disturbance in the Southwestern corner of the Gulf of Mexico has an 80% chance of development, and will likely bring heavy rain and possible tornadoes to the Tampa Bay region this weekend, experts say.
According to the 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, the system is headed north with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. At this point it’s unclear exactly where it is headed, but for now there’s a tropical storm warning in effect for most of Florida’s panhandle.
If the system does develop it will be called Nestor.
The Tampa Bay area is expected to experience gusty winds and even possible tornadoes beginning Friday. While Saturday will be mostly windy, but clear, with Sunday bringing a 60-70% chance of heavy rain.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Mississippi/Alabama border to the Ochlockonee River, Florida, and Grand Isle, Louisiana to the Mouth of the Pearl River. A tropical storm watch is in effect for East of the Ochlockonee River to Yankeetown, Florida. And, a storm surge watch is in effect for Indian Pass to Clearwater, Florida.
A disturbance over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico could become a tropical or subtropical cyclone during the next couple of days while it moves across the western and central Gulf. The latest full outlook is available at https://t.co/Xhmye8a8VH pic.twitter.com/hawX4WDfie
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 16, 2019
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This article appears in Oct 17-24, 2019.