Credit: Photo via NHC

Credit: NHC

The 13th Atlantic tropical depression, soon to be named Laura, will become a hurricane as it heads towards Florida, according to forecasts by the National Hurricane Center.

While Tampa is in its tracking cone, the path of the system is still uncertain as it will likely change as it moves over the Greater Antilles Island this weekend, according to an 11 a.m. advisory.

Tropical Depression 13 is more than 700 miles east of the Leeward Islands, according to the 11 a.m. NHC advisory. 

Tropical storm conditions are expected to strike areas of the northern Leeward Islands—where tropical storm watches have been issued—by Friday night. Puerto Rico along with the Virgin Islands may receive similar storm watches as they are at risk of tropical storm conditions Friday night and Saturday. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis took to Twitter Thursday, asking Floridians to prepare for the soon to be tropical storm and hurricane by gathering a week’s worth of supplies. “Floridians should take time now to prepare 7 days of supplies and should follow @FLSERT for updates over the coming days,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, tropical depression 14 is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Marco before achieving hurricane status as it moves up the Gulf of Mexico towards Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Florida is not in its track as of an 11 a.m. advisory. 

Additionally, there is a tropical wave over western Africa that is likely to develop in the coming days, according to an 11 a.m. advisory by the NHC. 

As of now, there have been 12 named storms, a record for the Atlantic hurricane season, and two hurricanes. By the end of the week, forecasters predict the total will be 14 as the hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30, continues. 

Credit: Photo via NHC

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This article appears in Aug 20-26, 2020.

Christopher is a current journalism student at the University of Florida. His past work can be seen at Ears to Feed, The Independent Florida Alligator and Cigar City Management.