The disturbance we’ve been watching is now Tropical Depression # 9. Data from a NOAA plane shows that a closed circulation has formed, so as of 5 pm Sunday the disturbance was upgraded as it slowly made its way in the Florida Straits. The first advisory package located TD # 9 near 23.7 North, 81.7 West. The depression was moving west at 9 miles per hour and had maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. TD # 9 is still being affected by wind shear and is not forecast to strengthen much for at least another day. No watches or warnings have been issued, but portions of the Lower Keys could see wind gusts of 39 miles per hour or more Sunday night. TD # 9’s main threat to South Florida will be heavy rain, with accumulations of up to 6 inches in spots over the next several days. The computer models are still split on TD # 9’s future track and strength, but the “cone” indicates a landfall by a tropical storm along Florida’s Gulf coast by late week.
Here in South Florida, showers and storms will increase on Sunday evening, with activity working its way from the Keys northward. The risk of dangerous rip currents continues at South Florida beaches and will remain at least into Tuesday. Monday will be stormy, with periods of heavy rain throughout South Florida. Monday’s highs will be in the upper 80s. Showers and storms will continue on Tuesday, and localized flooding is possible. Tropical moisture will linger on Wednesday, as what is now TD # 9 slowly moves northward. Look for stormy periods and highs in the upper 80s. Thursday could be on the stormy and cloudy side, with highs again in the upper 80s, all depending on the track and strength of the depression. Friday should finally bring periods of sun, afternoon storms, and highs in the low 90s.
Elsewhere in the tropics, Hurricane Gaston has become the Atlantic season’s first major hurricane, with winds of 115 miles per hour at 5 pm Sunday. Gaston was moving northwest at 5 miles per hour and is not a threat to land.
And the area of low pressure southwest of Bermuda strengthened quickly into Tropical Depression # 8 Sunday morning. It is moving west at 9 miles per hour and is expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds as it passes near the North Carolina coast in a couple of days.
