Tropical storm warnings and watches were issued for portions of Florida' west coast for Tropical Depression Four that could become 2024's next named storm.
Tropical Depression Four was located about 170 miles south of Key West with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
8/2/24 11 PM: Tropical Depression Four has developed just to the south of Cuba. Tropical Storm Warnings are in place for coastal Collier County and mainland Monroe County, as the system is expected to strengthen as it approach the Florida Straits pic.twitter.com/amu1dkew39
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) August 3, 2024
The tropical storm warning was issued for the southwest coast of the Florida peninsula from East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach.
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The disturbance became Tropical Depression 4 late on Friday, just as it moved across the Straits of Florida near Cuba and could become a tropical storm by Sunday night, the NHC said.
If it does develop further, the system would be named Debby.
The system was moving over Cuba on Friday and a turn toward the northwest at a slower forward speed was expected Friday night or Saturday, followed by a turn toward the north on Sunday.
HURRICANE SEASON
The system was expected to move near or over Florida's west coast Saturday night through Sunday night.
Impact to Miami-Dade and Broward
Although portions of South Florida including Miami-Dade and Broward weren't in the NHC's initial potential track area, impacts from the system were still expected.
Regardless of development, look for breezy conditions and rain to pick up Friday night and into the weekend. Expect widespread wind gusts of 20-30 mph or more with some locations picking up multiple inches of rain.
The highest amounts of rain and gustiest winds will likely occur in the Keys but busy weather is expected across the region.
Conditions are forecast to improve late Sunday and into Monday morning as the system pulls away.
DeSantis Declares State of Emergency
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for a number of counties in the state ahead of the system.
The order includes Monroe County but not Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach.
