(Miami) A storm system brewing in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to reach tropical storm status later Saturday, and forecasters warn it could intensify and become a hurricane heading toward Florida next week.
Tropical Depression 14 was located about 340 kilometers northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in an advisory published Saturday morning.
Although no coastal warnings or alerts are in effect, the hurricane center said the Florida Peninsula, the Keys, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and the northwest Bahamas should monitor the system’s progress.
The storm is expected to strengthen and bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to parts of Florida’s west coast next week, with hurricane and storm surge warnings likely in effect Sunday. Parts of Florida are expected to experience heavy rain starting Sunday. The rainfall will bring a risk of flash, urban and regional flooding, as well as riverine flooding.
“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storms and winds over parts of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday evening or Wednesday. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow the advice given by local officials, and check regularly for forecast updates,” the center said.
Looking further east, Leslie strengthened into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, but does not threaten land, forecasters said.
NOAA IMAGE, PROVIDED BY ASSOCIATED PRESS
This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows the tropical storm Leslieon October 3, 2024, in the Atlantic Ocean.
The storm was located about 1,170 kilometers southwest of Cape Verde’s southernmost islands on Saturday and was blowing with sustained winds of up to 120 km/h. There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Meanwhile, the hurricane Kirk remained a major Category 4 hurricane, and waves from the system affected the Leeward Islands, Bermuda and the Greater Antilles, forecasters said. Waves from the storm are expected to spread to the eastern seaboard of the United States, the Atlantic coast of Canada and the Bahamas Saturday evening and Sunday. Meteorologists say this could cause dangerous waves and rip currents.
Kirk is expected to weaken from Saturday, the center said.
Although there are no coastal warnings or watches in effect for Kirkthe center said residents in the Azores, where swell could hit Monday, should monitor the storm’s progress.
Kirk was about 1,570 kilometers northeast of the northern Leeward Islands with winds up to 209 km/h.
Storms churned in the Atlantic as rescuers across the southeastern United States searched for people missing after Hurricane Helene struck last week, leaving a trail of death and catastrophic damage.