A tropical storm warning is now in effect for the entire Florida Keys, from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas. A tropical storm watch for the Gulf Coast from Englewood southward. While Fred was still a tropical depression early Friday, it is expected to regain tropical storm strength before affecting the Keys late Friday night or early Friday morning.
In the meantime, Friday features steamy sun and afternoon showers and storms on a building ocean breeze. A high risk of dangerous rip currents is in place at the Atlantic beaches from Friday through Sunday. Look for increasingly windy conditions and periods of storms in the Lower and Middle Keys Friday night. Highs on Friday will be in the low 90s, but it will feel about 10 degrees hotter.
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Saturday will see the closest approach of Fred to South Florida. Expect flooding rains and windy conditions around South Florida. Tropical storm-force gusts are possible in the east coast metro area. Sustained tropical storm winds are expected in the Lower and Middle Keys and possibly in the Naples area. Saturday’s highs will be mostly in the mid-80s.
Sunday will be breezy with lingering showers and storms as Fred moves away. Additional rain will lead to localized flooding. Sunday’s highs will be in the upper 80s.
Monday will feature mostly sunny skies with periods of showers and storms. Monday’s highs will be in the upper 80s.
Tuesday’s forecast calls for periods of sun alternating with showers and storms. Highs on Tuesday will be in the low 90s.
Tropical Depression Fred was skirting the Cuban coast early Friday. At 5 am, TD Fred was located near 22.0 North, 76.7 West, about 370 miles east-southeast of Key West. Maximum sustained winds were 35 miles per hour, and Fred was moving west-northwest at 10 miles per hour. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Keys, and there are tropical watches for the Gulf coast from Engelwood southward and for portions of Cuba. South Florida can expect flooding rains of 3 to 7 inches from late Friday into Monday. Tropical storm conditions are likely in the Keys and possible along the Gulf coast, while windy conditions can be expected in the east coast metro area.
Elsewhere, we’re keeping a close eye on the wave in the central Atlantic. It has a high chance of becoming a depression during the next five days as moves in the direction of the Lesser Antilles.
