A strong low-pressure system in the northwestern Caribbean is forecast to intensify throughout the week, potentially bringing heavy rains and flash flooding to Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Tropical Cyclone Nine

The National Hurricane Center is focusing its attention on Tropical Cyclone Nine in the northwestern Caribbean and parts of Central America. There is a strong likelihood that a tropical depression or storm will develop within the next 48 hours. This broad low pressure system will continue to move northward across the northwestern Caribbean into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Warnings and alarms issued

The governments of Cuba and Mexico have issued tropical storm warnings and hurricane warnings in response to the developing weather system.

SUMMARY OF APPLICABLE WARNINGS AND ALERTS: A hurricane warning is in effect for… * Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico * The Cuban province of Pinar del Rio A tropical storm warning is in effect for… * Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico * The Cuban provinces of Artemisa and Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth

Strong winds and heavy rain

There is a potential for significant storm surge, heavy rains and flooding, and strong winds along the northern and eastern Gulf Coasts. These strong winds will reach southern parts of Florida on Wednesday morning.

From Wednesday to Friday, there will be heavy rain in the southeastern United States. Weather forecasters predict between 10 and 20 centimeters of rain for Florida’s Gulf Coast.

A positive aspect of this situation is the expected post-landfall rainfall that could benefit the southeastern region. The moisture from the upcoming rainfall will help combat the severe to extreme drought currently affecting several states.