ORLANDO, Fla. – A weather system making its way toward Florida will drench the Orlando area.
The area of low pressure, centered between Cuba and the Florida Keys on Monday morning, is forecast to move north along the western coast of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico.
Here are three key items to know about the weather system.
1. Rain-maker
The area of low pressure could dump as much 5 inches of rain Monday in isolated pockets in Central Florida.
The rain, however, is welcome news to the region. The yearly rain deficit in Orlando stands at nearly 6 inches.
2. Below-average chance to become a tropical storm
The National Hurricane Center gives the system a 40 percent chance of developing into at least a tropical depression over the next five days.
"It's not likely to become a named storm, but rain and some embedded thunderstorms will be in the forecast all week," News 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges said.
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3. Wet weather to linger
Because of the size of the system and its slow movement, the Orlando area could see rain from the area of low pressure through the weekend.
The chance of rain is 60 percent or higher through Sunday, so the wet weather is forecast to stick around all week.
Let’s get another morning weather/traffic update!
Posted by News 6 WKMG / ClickOrlando on Monday, May 14, 2018
Lots of rain covering the radar right now. Much more to come.100% Rain throughout the day! pic.twitter.com/zxlKOGM0Wy
— Troy Bridges (@TroyNews6) May 14, 2018
Let’s talk rain gear y’all! I always love seeing cool rain boots or umbrellas. 🌧☔️💙 https://t.co/EtyooapzWk
— Samara Cokinos (@CokinosSamaraWx) May 14, 2018
The Florida Division of Emergency Management said if severe weather threatens, residents should follow these safety tips:
- Ensure your NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio is on and programmed for your area or stay tuned to a trusted local media outlet for the most current weather situation.
- Ensure your disaster supply kit is prepared and heed all instructions from local officials.
- Know what you would do in the event of a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch or warning.
- If a tornado warning is issued for your area seek shelter immediately in an interior room, away from windows.
- If thunder roars, go indoors. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning and should seek shelter immediately.
- Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
- Be aware of stream, drainage channels, canyons and areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas without typical warnings such as rain clouds or heavy rain.
- Never drive through flooded roadways as road beds may be washed out under flood waters, and just one foot of fast-moving flood water can move most cars off the road.
Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates to the forecast.