Free Republic

Tropical storms and hurricanes that move slowly near the coast or inland are among the most feared by forecasters. Sometimes these tropical cyclones may not have powerful wind speeds, but the threats posed can be amplified due to their sluggish pace. Here's a look at what a slow speed means for rainfall potential and some other typical threats from a storm that's in no hurry to exit a region. A slow-moving storm brings relentless rainfall In focus: The slower a storm moves, the more incredible the rainfall amounts can become. A storm chugging along at just 5 mph has a...

The Western Hemisphere could have its first tropical storm of 2025 this week off the southwestern coast of Mexico, roughly two weeks after the beginning of hurricane season for the Eastern Pacific Basin. What we’re watching: The National Hurricane Center is watching a region south of Mexico in the Eastern Pacific that has a high chance of tropical development in the next couple of days. A broad area of low pressure that is producing showers and thunderstorms is becoming better organized, and atmospheric and oceanic conditions favor it becoming a tropical depression soon. If the area of interest becomes a...

The Atlantic coast of the United States is set to experience an active and dynamic hurricane season in a possible repeat of last year’s lineup of devastating storm systems, experts warn. As many as 18 hurricanes are expected to sweep across the eastern United States after the stormy season begins on June 1, according to a report from Accuweather. Experts say three to six of those named storms will reach or exceed Category 3 strength in the continental United States in 2025. The regions most at risk for the powerful storms will be the Gulf coast, the ocean-side of Florida’s...

Tropical Storm Rafael formed south of Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea. The forecast anticipates strengthening into a hurricane south of Western Cuba, before advancing northwest into the Gulf of Mexico later this week. Given significant uncertainties in the long-range forecast track and intensity, it is too soon to determine what, if any, impacts could occur. Watches and warnings have been issued for the Lower and Middle FL Keys, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Western Cuba. Mash the graphics below to enlarge. All links and images are self-updating. NHC Public Advisories NHC Discussions Tropical Tidbits by Levi Cowan News: NOLA.comFL Keys NewsWLOX...

The storm battered Florida Gulf Coast is in the forecast track for Milton. The tropical storm formed quickly Saturday in the SW Gulf of Mexico. Many FL Gulf Coast barrier islands and coastal communities are in the initial stages of clearing debris from substantial flooding during Hurricane Helene. Mash the graphics below to enlarge. All links and images are self-updating. NHC Public Advisories NHC Discussions Tropical Tidbits by Levi Cowan Local News: WWSB MySuncoast.comFOX News13 Tampa BayNBC2 Ft. MyersWESH2 OrlandoWFLA Tampa Bay

The tropical system which would be Helene is developing in the Western Caribbean Sea. The storm is forecast to strengthen and move into the Gulf of Mexico. Interests along the Eastern GOM coast should monitor the progress of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, and additional watches or warnings could be required later tonight or tomorrow. Hurricane Hunters initiated flights to the storm system this morning. All links and images are self-updating. Mash images to enlarge Public AdvisoriesNHC DiscussionsNWS Tampa Bay FLNWS Key West FLNWS Tallahassee FL WFLA TampaWCTV TallahasseeWWSB Sarasota/BradentonWINK News Ft. MyersWJHG Panama City News

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A tropical depression could form next week as an area of low pressure in the Caribbean moves toward the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said Friday. “A tropical wave likely develops in the western Caribbean early next week. Right now, there’s a 40% chance in seven days,” Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Legh Spann said. “Many of the models drift the system north into the Gulf of Mexico by the middle of next week.” As of Friday afternoon, most of the models appeared to zero in on a northern Gulf coast landfall. However, Spann said...

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is finally heating up. The tropical system which could be Francine is developing in the Bay of Campeche. The storm is forecast to move toward the NW Gulf of Mexico. Interests along the Texas and Louisiana coastline should monitor the progress of Potential Tropical Cyclone Six, and additional watches or warnings could be required later tonight or tomorrow. All links and images are self-updating Mash images to enlarge Public AdvisoriesNHC DiscussionsNWS Lake Charles, LANWS Houston/Galveston

Hurricane Debby made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida in the Florida Big Bend. While moving inland, Debby was downgraded to a Tropical Storm. The storm is expected to bring major flooding to the Southeastern U.S. over the next several days as the storm slows to a crawl. Mash the graphics below to enlarge. All links and images are self-updating. Jacksonville FLCharleston SCMorehead City NC NHC Public Advisories NHC Discussions Tropical Tidbits by Levi Cowan NWS Jacksonville FL NWS Charleston SC NWS Morehead City NC Local News: Action News JaxWESH2 OrlandoWTOC Savannah GAWJCL Savannah GAWCSC Live 5 News Charleston SCABC News 4...

Tropical Storm watches and warnings have been issued from the Florida Keys up the Florida Gulf Coast to Suwanee. The system is crossing Central Cuba, moving at 16mph. The disturbance is expected to develop into a tropical depression on Saturday as it moves across the Straits of Florida, followed by intensification into a tropical storm by Saturday night. Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 54 counties, most along the Gulf Coast and in northern Florida, to move assets in preparation for the storm. August 13 marks 20 years since Hurricane Charley made landfall near Punta Gorda FL. The...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that several counties in Florida have been placed in a state of emergency via an executive order. The state of emergency includes counties in Southwest Florida, Central Florida, Northeast Florida, the panhandle, and the Big Bend regions. The system, located over easter Cuba, could form into a tropical depression as it continues its path toward Florida this weekend. As of the 11 a.m. advisory, it was located about 420 miles southeast of Key West, Florida. It was moving west-northwest at 16 mph with 30 mph winds.

After weeks of quiet, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is watching a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean. Located east of the Lesser Antilles, this disturbance is expected to interact with an approaching tropical wave during the next several days, according to the NHC. There is a medium chance that the disturbance will develop, but the odds have been increasing over the weekend. “Environmental conditions are forecast to become conducive for some development in a day or two, and a tropical depression could form around midweek while the system is near or over the northern Leeward Islands, Greater Antilles or...

The hurricane season's next tropical depression or storm is expected to form from a disturbance in the Atlantic by tonight as we also track two other systems with a lower chance of tropical development. W​here these systems are now: We're watching three tropical disturbances spread out from near Mexico to off the African coast, as depicted in the map below. The one expected to form into a tropical depression, and likely tropical storm, in the short-term future is Invest 95L in the central Atlantic. An "invest" is a naming convention used to identify disturbances that are being monitored with specialized...

TS Ophelia is poised to make landfall along the NC Coast Saturday morning. Mash graphics to enlarge. All images and links are self-updatingNHC Public Advisories NHC Discussions Local Statements Tropical Tidbits

Tropical Depression 10 has formed between the Yucatan Peninsula and the Western Tip of Cuba. Governor DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 33 Florida counties in advance of the system. Mash graphics to enlarge. All graphics and links are self-updating NHC Public AdvisoriesNHC Discussions

An almost tropical depression has developed in the Gulf of Mexico. NHC Public AdvisoriesNHC Discussions

Major Hurricane Hilary is moving along the Eastern Pacific coastline toward the SW US. Tropical storm conditions are possible by late Sunday in portions of southern California where a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect. Heavy rainfall in association with Hilary is expected to impact the Southwestern United States through next Wednesday, peaking on Sunday and Monday. Meanwhile, the Atlantic tropical season is heating up. Click to enlarge images. All graphics and links are self-updatingNHC Public Advisory HilaryNHC Discussion Hilary

A woman wearing a “Hail Satan” shirt declared at a recent Escambia County Florida school board meeting that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is “Tropical Hitler” and asserted that parents are unqualified to teach their own children about sex. The woman addressed the board, lamenting the DeSantis administration’s efforts to root out Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) scams in colleges and universities and halt efforts to indoctrinate children in grade school.

November brings Nicole and mid-term elections. Nicole has developed with subtropical characteristics in the Atlantic Ocean, taking aim for storm weary Florida. A subtropical system has some central convection fairly near the center surrounding a warming core existing in the mid-levels of the troposphere. Nicole may further develop into a tropical storm. Mash the graphics below to enlarge. All links and images are self-updating. NHC Public Advisories NHC Discussions Tropical Tidbits by Levi Cowan Local News Sources: Miami Local10NBC6 Miami/Ft LauderdaleNBC5 WPTV Palm Beach

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A powerful typhoon slammed into the northeastern Philippines on Sunday and was barreling across the main Luzon island toward the capital in a densely populated path where thousands have been evacuated to safety. Typhoon Noru hit the coastal town of Burdeos on Polillo Island in Quezon province shortly before nightfall. With sustained winds of 195 kilometers (121 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 240 kph (149 mph), it was expected to weaken slightly when it hits the Sierra Madre mountain range but will remain dangerously ferocious, forecasters said. RELATED: Tropical Storm Ian expected to...