A tropical system in the eastern Gulf of America is already having weather impacts on Florida and the system could grow stronger.
The National Weather Service’s (NWS) National Hurricane Center (NHC) is tracking the system, named Invest 19 for the time being, which is due west of Tampa in the open Gulf. Rain and increased winds are already starting to hit the Gulf Coast of Florida, though the system is projected to move westward, according to NHC analysis.
The NWS has issued a special marine warning for waters in the Gulf from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach. The warning states, “severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts were located” along many areas from Naples into the Big Bend area.
A small craft advisory is in effect for much of the same area until 8 p.m. Tuesday with southerly winds expected to blow 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 mph and seas building 5 to 8 feet.
The NWS coastal advisories also include rip current warnings for anyone going to the shoreline. Rip currents are the powerful channels of water that form a current heading out from the beach that could sweep a swimmer out to sea.
Meanwhile, the system itself “is slowly becoming better defined,” according to the NHC latest analysis. While it’s generally centered in the Gulf west of Tampa, that will likely change and if it reaches tropical storm strength, which is sustained winds of 39 mph or greater, it will be called Bertha. But it will likely move west, perhaps towards Louisiana and other Gulf states.
“Gradual development of this system is forecast, and a tropical depression could form over the next couple of days as the system moves slowly northward or northwestward. Interests along the northern Gulf Coast from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi to Louisiana should monitor the progress of this system as it is expected to bring heavy rain to portions of that region during the next several days,” the NHC statement said Sunday morning.
NHC officials say a U.S. Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is set to fly into the system later Sunday to take readings on the strength of the system. NHC forecasters say it has a “medium chance” of becoming a tropical cyclone within the next two days.
