Spring breakers looking forward to a beach getaway in Florida this weekend may need to rethink their plans as a coastal storm is forecasted to impact the Sunshine State with heavy rain and potential flooding. The storm is expected to develop over the Gulf of Mexico and bring several inches of rain, particularly in South Florida.
The system's development is attributed to a storm system that has been lingering over the Four Corners region in the Southwest before moving eastward across the southern tier. As it traverses the Southwest and Texas, a new system is likely to form and intensify as it progresses over the Gulf of Mexico by the weekend, posing a risk of rain for millions along the Gulf Coast from Texas to South Florida.
Precipitation is anticipated to remain concentrated over the Gulf of Mexico as the storm advances eastward, potentially leading to rain and flash flooding in cities like New Orleans, Mobile, and Pensacola. By Friday, heavy rain is expected to impact the west coast of the Florida Peninsula, extending from the Big Bend region through Tampa and Fort Myers.
The storm's trajectory will continue eastward, bringing rain to various parts of Florida, including Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Even spring breakers in the Florida Keys may not escape the inclement weather as rain is also projected for the region.
Following the passage of the initial low-pressure system across Florida, a secondary low-pressure area is likely to form in the Atlantic off the Southeast coast. This secondary system could potentially move up the East Coast, heightening the risk of heavy rain and flooding for communities from Georgia to North Carolina.
Florida is expected to receive the highest rainfall totals from the weekend-developing system, with areas like South Florida possibly seeing 3-5 inches of rain. Central Florida could expect around 2 inches, while regions like Tampa and West Palm Beach may receive 2-3 inches. Coastal areas of the Carolinas, including Myrtle Beach and Wilmington, could also experience significant rainfall.
