Tropical system in Gulf to increase rain and storm chances in Florida next week

Channel 9 meteorologists are monitoring a system in the Gulf of Mexico that may become our next named storm.

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It is still hard to tell where the system will go and how strong it will be.

Some computer models show the system developing into a tropical storm and moving over Florida, but others keep it as a disorganized low-pressure area.

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Though the warm Gulf waters should help to strengthen the storm, wind shear is also working against its development.

Regardless of the development, the storm system should bring a lot of rain and storms to our area for most of next week.

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Hurricane Kirk continues to gain strength in the Central Atlantic.

Kirk is a major Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds around 145 mph.

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Thankfully, Kirk is forecast to stay out to sea.

Tropical Storm Leslie is right behind Kirk and is also slowly moving through the Central Atlantic.

Channel 9 will continue to monitor all active systems in the tropics and provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates:

• Chief meteorologist Tom Terry
• Brian Shields
• Kassandra Crimi
• David Heckard