ORLANDO, Fla. – The tropics are showing signs of activity as we head into the weekend, all as a tropical wave near the southern Bahamas could drift closer to Florida by Monday.
Since the exact track and intensity forecast remains a bit uncertain, this is a system Floridians need to keep close tabs on through the weekend.
Invest 94L, regardless of exact path and strength, could bring impacts to our waters and coastlines by Saturday, with rough surf, choppy seas, beach erosion and a high risk of rip currents.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY
Expect a later start to scattered showers and a few storms early evening into the overnight. The collision of the sea breezes may spark isolated stronger storms as many head to bed Thursday night, bringing lightning, gusty winds (40–50 mph), small hail and brief downpours. Rain chances sit around 50-60%.
With a delayed start to the cooling storms, highs will have plenty of time to reach the upper 80s to low 90s, with heat index values peaking between 100–105 degrees each afternoon.
WEEKEND-EARLY NEXT WEEK
Invest 94L, a tropical disturbance near Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, may come close enough to bring impacts to Florida’s coast.
While most models currently keep it just off the east coast of Florida, forecast confidence should improve in the coming days as it develops over the Bahamas.
As of Thursday morning, expect higher rain chances Saturday (50–70%) and continued scattered storms through early next week.
[VIDEO BELOW: Candace Campos tracks the tropics]