System could form near Florida this week, forecasters say
A system could emerge later this week near or over the Florida peninsula, National Hurricane Center forecasters said Sunday as Tropical Storm Barry formed near eastern Mexico.
The disturbance, which has a 20% chance of developing, could form from a “remnant frontal boundary” toward the end of this week into next weekend, the hurricane center wrote in an 8 a.m. tropical weather outlook.
“Some gradual tropical or subtropical development could occur thereafter as it drifts slowly just off the U.S. coastline,” forecasters wrote.
In a Facebook post Sunday, Fox 13 meteorologist Paul Dellegatto said models for the potential system “are not particularly aggressive.”
“The main threat would likely be heavy rainfall,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Two strengthened into Tropical Storm Barry off the eastern coast of Mexico.
As of 11 a.m., Barry was about 90 miles east-southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of rain to northeastern Mexico, with some areas seeing up to 10 inches.
“This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” forecasters wrote.
The storm was forecast to intensify slightly before reaching the eastern Mexican coast. Rapid weakening is expected after the storm moves inland.
The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Andrea, formed on Tuesday and was no threat to land.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calls for an above-normal hurricane season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Of those, six to 10 could become hurricanes and three to five could ramp up into major hurricane strength of Category 3 or higher.
Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.
Information from the South Florida Sun Sentinel was used in this report.
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