Tropical system to soak South Florida but bring needed rain for parts of the Sunshine State
Flood Watches extend from the Keys to Central Florida
Average rain fall in Florida over the past 30 days.
(FOX Weather)
A potential tropical cyclone barreling toward the Sunshine State forecast to bring heavy rain to flood-prone South Florida might be a welcome sight for parts of the peninsula with below-average rain totals over the past 30 days.
The National Hurricane Center has issued Tropical Storm Warnings from South and Southwest Florida up to Central Florida as Potential Tropical Cyclone One is expected to bring 40-plus-mph winds on Friday night and Saturday. The storm is expected to organize and become Tropical Storm Alex before it makes landfall Saturday morning, according to the NHC.
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The soaking rain is already starting in South Florida on Friday. The National Weather Service in Miami has issued Flood Watches for all of South Florida through Sunday, including the Keys and Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Those extend west to Collier and Lee counties as well.
Heavy rain starting to move into Miami area from Potential Tropical Cyclone One
Numerous instances of flooding are expected late Friday into Saturday as a tropical system brings widespread heavy rain to South Florida.
Up to a foot of rain is possible in isolated areas, with 4 to 8 inches expected across much of South Florida.
EXPLAINING FLOOD ALERTS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
The southern part of the Sunshine State has received near- or above-average rain totals over the past two months, including in Fort Myers with 14.52 inches.
Southwest and South Florida rain totals over the past two months compared to 1991-2020.
(FOX Weather)
However, as you travel north along the Interstate 4 corridor, parched lawns could use a little moisture. Orlando is nearly 3 inches below the average for rainfall, and Vero Beach has only received 2 inches in the past 60 days.
Brevard, Volusia, Orange and Osceola counties have experienced 50 to 90% below-average rainfall totals in the past month.
WHAT IS A POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE?
The NWS in Melbourne is predicting 3 to 5 inches of rain from the greater Orlando area to the Space Coast. Flood Watches are in effect through Saturday night for parts of east-central Florida, including most of Brevard County.
The Treasure Coast could receive between 4 and 8 inches, with up to 10 inches in isolated areas.
Central Florida rain totals over the past two months compared to 1991-2020.
(FOX Weather)
Areas north of the Tropical Storm Warning, to Northwest Florida and the Panhandle, will stay mostly out of the fray from the tropical impacts.
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Pensacola, Florida, has received more than 16 inches of rain in the last two months, with 200% above-average rainfall in the past 30 days.
North Florida and Panhandle rain totals over the past two months compared to 1991-2020.
(FOX Weather)