See latest spaghetti models, radar images of Potential Tropical Cyclone 9. See Florida impacts (2024)

Cheryl McCloudTreasure Coast Newspapers

While Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine hasn't become a named storm as of Monday afternoon, meteorologists are warning residents along the northern and eastern Gulf Coast to prepare for the arrival of a hurricane later this week.

The Hurricane Hunters were investigating the system Monday afternoon to help forecasters with their predictions and models, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Spaghetti models for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine

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It's too early to determine specific impacts, but the National Weather Service Tallahassee is warning residents to prepare for the potential of significant storm surge, heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous beach and boating conditions along the northern and eastern Gulf Coast.

The next named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is Helene.

Spaghetti models for Potential Tropical Cyclone 9

Special note about spaghetti models:Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

Spaghetti models for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine

Radar images of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine

Potential Tropical Cyclone 9: What you need to know

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When could Tallahassee, Florida, feel impacts from tropical system?

The timeframe for potential impacts appears to Thursday into Friday, though some impacts could arrive as early as Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee.

There's a lot of uncertainty yet since a center has yet to form, so experts advise Gulf Coast residents to make preparations now.

"Residents should begin to check their hurricane kits to evaluate any needed supplies and/or content that needs to be refreshed," the National Weather Service said.

Could impacts from tropical storm or hurricane be felt in Southwest Florida?

"There is a lot of uncertainty in the extended range as a tropical system lifts northward into the Gulf of Mexico. These discrepancies will have a significant impact on exactly what conditions are realized across West Central and SWFL," according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.

"Confidence is increasing in a tropical system moving into the Gulf and facilitating an environment conducive storm surge, heavy rainfall, and strong winds, along with poor marine and beach conditions. The worst of the weather appears to take place between late Wednesday and early Friday."

Weather radar for Tallahassee, Florida

What tropical impacts are possible in Florida from Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 this week?

"While specific impacts are still highly uncertain, much of the northern and eastern Gulf should be preparing for the possibility of a hurricane bringing potentially significant impacts later this week," the National Weather Service Tallahassee said.

Wind.AccuWeatheris predicting Invest 97L could become aCategory 2 hurricanebefore landfall later this week, and has the potential of strengthening into a Category 3storm with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Powerful wind gusts of 100-120 miles per hour are expected where the storm makes landfall on Thursday. The AccuWeather Local StormMax is 140 mph.

Rain. AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting a widespread 4-8 inches of rainfall across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend Region through Saturday, with a zone of 8-12 inches of rain possible near the landfall zone. The AccuWeather Local StormMax is 24 inches of rainfall.

"Heavy rains will accompany this system and the region is somewhat vulnerable to flooding. This vulnerability arises due to past heavy rainfall from Debby in August across the Florida Big Bend, and a wetter than normal September so far for much of the area,"

Excessive rainfall forecast

Storm surge.“The Tampa Bay region is extremely vulnerable to storm surge. If this storm tracks any farther west, we could end up dealing with a serious storm surge and flooding problems in Tampa,” DaSilva said.

"Some of the stronger possibilities for this storm would bring potentially significant storm surge to the Apalachee Bay and/or Panhandle coastal regions," the National Weather Service Tallahassee said. "The specific impacts and values with surge and rainfall are still highly dependent on track and we'll begin to have a better idea of those early values in the next 24 to 36 hours."

Tornadoes."On Thursday, there is also the risk ofspin-up tornadoesacross much of the Florida peninsula and parts of the Panhandle, as well as southern Georgia and southeast Alabama."

Power outages."A risk of widespread power outages is also a concern where this storm makes landfall, and across the Tallahassee region," AccuWeather said. "Regional and localized power outages are expected across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region, as well as across much of Georgia, Alabama, southern Tennessee and pockets of far western South Carolina and North Carolina."

Prepare now for potential hurricane strike in Florida

“Now is the time to start preparing for a hurricane landfall along the Gulf Coast. Don’t wait for this storm to be officially named,” Porter said.

“This has the potential to rapidly intensify into a powerful hurricane. Don’t let your friends and family along the Gulf Coast be caught off guard. Give them a call or send them a text message and let them know to get ready for a hurricane.

"There is the potential that this storm could further strengthen into a major hurricane, which is a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale with maximum sustained winds of 111-129 miles per hour.”

"“This could be the storm that the 2024 hurricane season is remembered for,” Porter said.

Bottom line: "People along the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend region and much of the eastern Gulf Coast need tocomplete preparations for hurricane impactsby Wednesday night before hazardous conditions arrive on Thursday," AccuWeather said.

Watches, warnings issued across Florida

It's too early for any watches or warnings associated with the developing system but experts advise residents to watch Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine closely and make preparations now.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency

Gov. Ron DeSantishasdeclared a state of emergency for 41 of Florida's 67 countiesin advance of "Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine," according to an executive order released Monday.

Florida won't escape this one. Prepare for major hurricane.

The state of emergency affects Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.

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See latest spaghetti models, radar images of Potential Tropical Cyclone 9. See Florida impacts (2024)
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