Tropical storm watch issued for Marion County

Tropical Depression 9 gets better organized as it drifts toward Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. – A tropical storm watch was issued Tuesday night for Marion County as Tropical Depression 9 gets better organized and continues to drift slowly toward Florida. 

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As of Tuesday evening, the tropical depression was located about 410 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola and 415 miles southwest of Tampa. It was traveling north-northwest at 2 mph.

A hurricane watch has been issued for the Florida Gulf Coast from the Anclote River to Indian Pass. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the Gulf Coast west of Indian Pass to the Walton-Bay county line.

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A slow drift toward the north-northwest or north is expected Tuesday and early Wednesday morning and a turn toward the north-northeast is forecast to begin by Wednesday afternoon or evening. The center of the tropical cyclone will approach the northwest Florida coast in the watch area on Thursday morning.

A strong easterly wind flow is expected across most of Central Florida on Tuesday.

"This wind pattern will help drag in tropical moisture off the Atlantic and over the viewing area," Campos said. "Scattered showers and some tropical downpours will keep our rain coverage at 70-80 percent."

Aside from the heavy rain and occasional lightning, gusty winds in some squalls could reach 35-40 mph.

"Locally heavy rainfall is also becoming more likely as we head through the day," Campos said. "Some models show up to 3 inches over the next 48 hours. With all this rain, a flood watch may be issued during this topical event."

Highs this week in the Orlando area will be in the upper 80s to low 90s.

"The system will be well to our west on Wednesday but a large moisture plume will extend across the local area, keeping the rain around most of the day," Campos said. "The threat for heavy rain, gusty winds and even an isolated tornado will remain in our local forecast until Thursday."

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About the Author:

Candace Campos joined the News 6 weather team in 2015.