Central Florida to see rain
Tropical Storm Fred moves up Gulf Coast
Central Florida is out of the path of Tropical Depression Fred, but that doesn’t mean we won’t feel its affects this weekend, according to forecasters.
The area is looking to get 1 to 3 inches of rain late Saturday and Sunday as Fred makes its way up the west coast. Orlando will be on the storm’s right side, historically known as the “dirty side” or the side with the strongest winds and an isolated chance of tornadoes, forecasters said.
That combined with the chance that Fred could strengthen is why meteorologists are still keeping an eye on it, said Spectrum News 13 meteorologist Bryan Karrick.
“With interaction over Cuba now, it’s going to keep this system in check,” Karrick said. “Don’t let your guard down. We’re still expecting squalls, but I’m not expecting any major issues.” Orange County Emergency Management Chief Lauraleigh Avery is also on her toes.
“We are monitoring both systems closely (Fred & the next system) and making all preparation in case of any strengthening over the next few days,” Avery said. “At this time, we are expecting a couple of inches of rain and some winds, but as we know, these storms can change tracks, so all departments are in the process of preparing. With the amount of rainfall that has occurred over the last few weeks, we are also closely monitoring the current status of all lakes, the areas that normally flood, and our roadways.”
TD Fred doused Cuba with rain and should regain its tropical storm status by Saturday which triggered a tropical storm warning for the Florida Keys west of Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas and the Florida Bay.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the southwest coast of Florida from Englewood south and east to Ocean Reef. As of Friday evening, Fred was about 200 miles southeast of Key West with maximum sustained winds at 35 mph. Fred is turtling west at 12 mph and should be near the Florida Keys Saturday and near Florida’s West Coast Sunday.
By Saturday afternoon, Fred is expected to be passing by Key West with 40 mph sustained winds. It’s then projected to grow in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Coast with 50 mph sustained winds. Fred could make landfall along Florida’s panhandle by Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile , Tropical Depression Seven formed on Friday evening about 675 miles east of the Leeward Islands. As of now, parts of south Florida are in the cone of uncertainty, but a clearer view of the storm won’t come until next week.
TD 7 is expected to mature into the seventh named storm of the year Saturday. If it does, it will take the name Grace.
“Don’t let your guard down. We’re still expecting squalls, but I’m not expecting any major issues.”
Spectrum News 13 meteorologist Bryan Karrick.