Tropical Depression Nine could soon become a tropical storm.
The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch for parts of Florida.
The storm is currently bringing torrential rains to western Cuba. As it leaves Cuba later today and moves into the eastern Gulf of Mexico it is likely to become more organized. Tropical Storm Watches are likely to be posted for portions of the Gulf Coast of Florida later today.
Latest track has it moving north then turning east Wednesday evening. Eventually heading into central/northern Florida Thursday.
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The main impacts to Tampa will be heavy rain and flood potential with heavy rain bands setting up well ahead of the center of the storm. Rain chances will go up beginning with our afternoon storms today and will continue to be high through Friday.
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The heaviest rain is likely coming to the Tampa Bay area on Thursday. The system will make its closest pass to us on Thursday with tropical storm winds also possible. Even though a Hurricane Watch is in effect, the track or thoughts about this storm have not changed. I suspect they issued due to a few models increasing to hurricane strength and a blow up of convection more to the North of the suspected center.
If the center were to redevelop there, then the track could be more to the East. Stay tuned.
