As hurricane season reaches its peak, the CBS News Miami NEXT Weather team is closely monitoring a disturbance in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. The National Hurricane Center has given this area an 80% chance of development over the next seven days. If it strengthens into a named storm, it would be called Idalia.
According to CBS News Miami NEXT Weather Chief Meteorologist and Hurricane Specialist Ivan Cabrera, the evolution and organization of this potential system will be influenced by an upper-level trough. The European model suggests an organized system lifting northward in the Gulf of Mexico, while the American model predicts a stronger trough which would keep the system weaker and disorganized.
Regardless of development, South Florida can expect heavy rain and the potential for flooding from this system, which is forecast to become a tropical depression or a tropical storm. The exact track and intensity are still uncertain, but South Florida is likely to experience heavy rainfall and gusty winds from late Monday to early Wednesday. The weekend, however, is expected to have scattered showers with highs in the low 90s.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Franklin is currently moving towards the north and could potentially become the first Category 2 hurricane of the season. As of Friday morning, the storm was located about 215 miles east-northeast of Grand Turk Island, with sustained winds of 60 mph. It is expected to make a sharp turn towards the north on Friday night and Saturday, continuing its northward or north-northwestward motion over the western Atlantic through early next week. Gradual strengthening is anticipated, and Franklin is likely to become a hurricane over the weekend.
This news comes as the CBS Miami team, a group of experienced journalists, continues to bring trustworthy content to their readers on CBSMiami.com.