Tropical Disturbance Brings Heavy Rain and Flood Risks to Florida

A weather system linked to a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico brings heavy rain and thunderstorms to much of Florida on Tuesday. Although it is not yet classified as a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center gives it a 20% chance of developing into a depression or tropical storm within the next week.

Photo byNational Hurricane Center

Regardless of its development, this system is forecasted to move northeast across Florida, potentially dropping up to two feet of rain in some areas, according to AccuWeather.

The National Weather Service has warned of localized flash flooding, especially in urban areas, roads, small streams, and low-lying regions. Much of South Florida is under flood watch, with multiple rounds of heavy rain expected to cause flooding.

Rainfall could reach 2 to 3 inches in the Florida Keys by Wednesday evening. Southwest Florida and the Lake Okeechobee area are expected to receive 6-9 inches of rain, while Miami could see 2-5 inches.

The rainfall will be beneficial initially, as drought conditions have increased across Florida throughout spring. AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said the wet weather will relieve the recent record-breaking heat.

So far, 2024 has seen no named tropical storms in the Atlantic basin, marking the latest start to the hurricane season in the past decade. The last time the season started this late was in 2014, when Tropical Storm Arthur formed on July 1.

AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno notes that the absence of storms in June is not unusual due to dry air and wind shear, which typically inhibit storm development at this time of year.