System off Florida has 90% chance of developing into tropical depression

Rain chances ramp up over weekend in Orlando area

ORLANDO, Fla. – The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor an area of low pressure near Florida that is bringing rain to the Orlando area Friday and through the weekend.

The system was located west of the Bahamas Friday afternoon, approaching South Florida. Hurricane officials say it has a 70% chance of developing tropical characteristics over the next two days and a 90% chance over the next five days.

[RELATED:  Hurricane system keeps eye on 2nd system in tropics]

The next named storm will be called Dorian.

Some computer models show the low-pressure system moving over Miami and into Orlando before heading back out to sea and traveling along the East Coast.

News 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges said Central Floridians should be prepared for heavy downpours at times over the weekend.

"Here’s the bottom line: As this area of low pressure builds out of the Bahamas and along the coast of Florida, it will make a turn and impact coastal zones of the Carolinas," Bridges said. "The American model does not have this system organizing into anything tropical in the coming days."

The European model, however, shows the system developing into either a tropical depression or a tropical storm early next week.

"By then, whatever develops will be along the Carolina coast and heading out to sea," Bridges said. "We will see rain in Central Florida as this low rides along the coast."

Locally, there will be concerns with flooding, Bridges said. 

The St. Johns River near Geneva remains at action stage, meaning no-wake zones go into effect and county parks are closed for areas east of Lake Monroe and Lake Harney.

Many areas could receive 2-3 inches of rain, leading to localized flooding and wet roads.

Orlando will see a high in the low 90s Friday, with a 40% coverage of rain. The average high on this date is 91. The record high is 99, set in 1915.

Rain chances stand at 50% Saturday and 60% Sunday, with highs near 90 degrees.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.

 


About the Authors:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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