Hurricane news: Tropical Storm Sandy may bring rain to South Florida, become hurricane soon

Tropical Storm Sandy could be more of a trick than a treat for South Florida.

Although it is unlikely that Sandy will make landfall in Florida, this storm will likely pass close enough to generate some unfavorable conditions for the end of the work week.

The most recent data suggests that it will be the Thursday night-Friday morning time frame that Sandy will have the greatest influence on our forecast.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical storm watch may be required for portions of Southeast Florida and the Florida Keys tonight or early Wednesday.
 
What to expect:

The degree of impact on our area will large depend on whether Sandy travels on the east or west side of the error cone. The most likely scenario brings rain bands through Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast that will contain some periods of very heavy rain and very strong winds.

Sustained winds for our entire area will increase and become quite gusty even without passing rain bands. Additionally, boating and beach conditions will be very dangerous. Waves will be quite high and rip currents will be prevalent. Some beach erosion can be expected.

Sandy, with 60 mph winds, could briefly become a hurricane over the next 48 hours.

Sandy was churning about 195 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday night, and is expected to move near or over Jamaica on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said.

A hurricane warning has been issued for Jamaica.  In addition, the government of Cuba has issued a hurricane warning for the Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Las Tunas, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin and Guantanamo.

The government of the Bahamas has issued a tropical storm watch for the Northwestern Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island and New Providence, the Central Bahamas including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador and for the Southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands.