WeatherHurricane

Actions

Tropical Depression 13 has formed; other areas of interest could develop in the tropics

Wave in Atlantic Ocean may impact South Florida's weather
Posted at 10:08 AM, Aug 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-19 23:38:04-04

MIAMI — Tropical Depression 13 has formed over the Atlantic, bringing maximum sustained winds of 35 mph with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 11 p.m. the depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 20 mph. This motion is expected to continue for the next few days.

On the forecast track, the depression is expected to move near or north of the northern Leeward Islands by late Friday and near or north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Saturday.

Gradual strengthening is forecast, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm by late Thursday.

According to WPTV Meteorologist Steve Villanueva, the storm could impact South Florida by Monday.

The WPTV First Alert Weather Team is monitoring all areas of interest in the tropics.

LATEST TROPICS FORECAST:

Tropical Trio: 3 areas of interest could develop in the tropics

SPECIAL COVERAGE: Hurricane Survival Guide

WAVE IN CARIBBEAN SEA

A tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean Sea is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, along with gusty winds.

The National Hurricane Center is giving this wave a 40% chance of development over two days, and an 80% chance of development over five days.

According to WPTV First Alert Meteorologist James Wieland, the forecast models take this into the Gulf of Mexico without impacting our weather.

WAVE IN ATLANTIC OCEAN

A wave located roughly 1,000 miles east of the Windward Islands is forecast to develop into a tropical depression on Wednesday or Thursday.

Wieland said most models bring this system toward South Florida by next Monday or Tuesday, however, the strength of the system is unknown at this time.

"This one we need to pay attention to," Wieland said. "Some of the models barely have it developing into anything, and then the next day it'll have it developing into something. So really tough to pin down at the moment."

WPTV First Alert Meteorologist Steve Villanueva said most computer models take the system through Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico, and most keep it very weak.

WAVE OFF AFRICA

A large area of showers and thunderstorms, located over Guinea and Sierra-Leone, Africa, has been given a 20% chance of development over the next five days.

According to the NHC, environmental conditions are expected to be marginally conducive for some development of this system while the wave enters the extreme eastern Atlantic on Friday.

By early next week, however, conditions are forecast to become less favorable for tropical cyclone formation.

WPTV First Alert Weather Spotters Sponsored By: Manatee Lagoon

About WPTV NewsChannel 5

Join WPTV First Alert Weather Spotters team

Jonathan Diego
4:35 PM, Jul 06, 2022
wptv-surf-forecast.jpg

Surfing Blog

Surf Forecast: Swell Fades, New Pulse Friday

James Wieland
8:53 AM, Oct 09, 2019

WATCH 2023 WPTV FIRST ALERT WEATHER SPECIAL

2023 WPTV First Alert Weather Special

2023 STORM NAMES

Arlene

Bret

Cindy

Don

Emily

Franklin

Gert

Harold

Idalia

Jose

Katia

Lee

Margot

Nigel

Ophelia

Phillipe

Rina

Sean

Tammy

Vince

Whitney

TERMS TO KNOW

TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.