After causing at least 57 casualties this week in Central America as a Category 4 hurricane, Eta is expected to regain strength as it approaches South Florida this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Eta, which rhymes with "beta," is currently a Tropical Depression with 35 mile per hour winds. As of now, the system is expected to strengthen and once again become a Tropical Storm as it moves away from Belize at a speed of 7 miles per hour towards Cuba, and eventually turning back west towards South Florida.
Though Tampa Bay is currently in the potential 4-5 day track, the storm is expected to mostly bring heavy rain to the region. Rain chances in Tampa will be between 30%-40% this weekend and will move to between 50%-60% early next week. South Florida is currently under a Flood Watch and could be upgraded to a Tropical Storm Watch soon.
Eta is now the 12th hurricane and the 28th named storm of the year, which ties the 2005 season record for 28 named storms.
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