Tropical Storm Sara Florida impacts
Ten days and counting.
That’s when then 2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends, on Nov. 30.
Of course, that doesn’t mean tropical storms or even hurricanes can’t develop after that date. It has happened, but chances drop off sharply at the end of the month.
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The National Hurricane Center even stops issuing its twice-daily tropical outlooksalthough it does ramp back into action if forecasters spot something we should know about.
Now with that good news behind us — or ahead of us — it’s time to remind Florida residents that the combination of a cold front and the remnants of former Tropical Storm Sara could bring some wind and rain to the state this week.
Here’s the latest update from the NHC as of 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19:
Florida impacts expected from ‘Tropical Rainstorm Sara’
AccuWeather forecasters said while Sara may no longer be a tropical storm, it still could bring heavy rain into parts of the U.S. this week as a “tropical rainstorm.”
The cold front moving east across the U.S. is expected to draw some of Sara’s moisture northward, increasing rain chances along the Gulf Coast through Tuesday night, AccuWeather said. Landfall in Florida is likely on Wednesday morning as a tropical rainstorm.
Impacts specifically mentioned by AccuWeather include:
- Rain: A wide swath of 2 to 4 inches rain could spread from eastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva.
- Some areas could see up to 12 inches.
- Heavy rain may spread southward along the Florida Peninsula into midweek.
- Thunderstorms: A risk of a few severe thunderstorms. The most likely location for any severe weather would be across the Florida Peninsula.
- Wind: Winds, with gusts of 40 to 60 mph, are possible, but most likely will be confined to the coast and coincide with heavier downpours, DaSilva said.
- With any stronger downpours and thunderstorms, locally higher wind gusts over 60 mph would be possible.
- Tornadoes: Isolated tornadoes possible.
- Rip currents: There’s a dangerous rip current risk along the Gulf Coast through Wednesday.
What else is out there and how likely are they to strengthen?
There currently are no disturbances in the Atlantic basin, with the exception of the remnants of former Tropical Storm Sara in the Gulf of Mexico. No tropical cyclones are expected over the next seven days, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The Atlantic basin consists of the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricanes in November:How many hurricanes have hit Florida in November? Warm oceans are increasing the odds
Countdown clock: When will hurricane season end?
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, although tropical systems can develop at any time.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Will Florida, US see another hurricane, tropical storm this year?
While a tropical or subtropical storm in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is possible into early December, any U.S. impacts from additional tropical storms or hurricanes are highly unlikely for the rest of the year, DaSilva said.
As the cold front moves across Florida, it will “finally put an end to any further risk of tropical activity threatening the continental U.S. this year,” said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist with WeatherTiger. Truchelut is a Florida meteorologist who works with the USA TODAY Network.
“That will usher in temps with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s for north and central Florida — the first taste of Florida winter after a summery fall.”
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