Looming Florida Storm May Gather Tropical Characteristics

While much of the Southeast dries out today after a stormy weekend, those along the Southeast coast and Florida will face more rainy weather today as a cold front sweeps offshore. Heavy thunderstorm downpours are likely across the Florida Peninsula. Meanwhile, a powerful storm will head towards Florida, bringing even more rainfall to the drought-stricken Sunshine State through much of the week. This storm could have the potential to acquire at least some tropical characteristics.



It is not out of the question that the system could even become the first named storm, Ana, of 2009 in the Atlantic Basin, whether it is a tropical storm or subtropical storm. A subtropical cyclone, as defined by the National Hurricane Center, is a non-frontal low pressure system that has characteristics of both tropical and extratropical cyclones. When these cyclones have maximum-sustained winds over 39 mph, they can receive a name off the official tropical cyclone lists.

AccuWeather.com meteorologists are monitoring the feature, which is currently producing showers and thunderstorms just south of Cuba. By tonight, the feature is expected to develop into a low pressure system as it slowly inches northward. The storm will likely head towards the east coast of Florida on Tuesday before moving inland and reorganizing off the west coast of Florida later this week. It would be during this time, over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, that the storm could gain tropical characteristics.



While uncertainty still exists as to the path of the storm as it presses northward, the system will provide ample rainfall for Florida and neighboring states throughout the week. Parts of the peninsula will encounter over 4 inches of torrential rainfall. Flooding problems will ensue, but for most, the storm will provide much-needed rain. The storm will also produce high winds, battering the coastlines of eastern Florida and South Carolina in the next few days before shifting to the west coast of Florida later this week. Beach erosion, rough surf and tidal flooding will be the main consequences from the roaring winds.

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