Tropical Depression 14 strengthened into Tropical Storm Michael around 1 p.m. Sunday, according to experts from the National Hurricane Center. The system's latest forecast track shows it moving through the Gulf of Mexico and into Florida's Panhandle next week.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for areas of the Panhandle in anticipation of the storm, which experts predict will make landfall Wednesday.
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Michael is currently sitting about 90 miles south of Cozumel, Mexico. A tropical storm warning is in place for areas of Cuba and the coast of Mexico. NHC experts said the system's maximum winds are estimated to be 60 mph.
[HURRICANE TRACKER: Tropical Depression 14 swirls near Gulf of Mexico]
News 6 meteorologist Samara Cokinos said the storm will bring moisture, and subsequently rain, into Central Florida. This rain is predicted to start Tuesday and linger through the rest of the week.
TD 14 has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Michael. Here’s the latest track. Don’t forget to download our News 6 Hurricane App for the latest while on the go. #Michael #ClickOrlando #News6 pic.twitter.com/UV1a6mN948
— Samara Cokinos (@CokinosSamaraWx) October 7, 2018
Tropical Storm Leslie is still sitting in the Atlantic Ocean, and its latest predicted track is forecast to stay away from the U.S.
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