Tropical Depression 16 Forms, May Soon be Nicole
The path of soon-to-be Nicole.
The area of showers and thunderstorms in the Caribbean that the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center has been concerned about for days has become the Atlantic's 16th tropical depression.
The system has developed over the warm waters of the northwestern Caribbean with favorable conditions allowing an area of low pressure to become better organized.
The tropical depression has a good chance at becoming Tropical Storm Nicole over the next 48 hours.
The system is first expected to impact Cuba then to take aim at Florida and the U.S. East Coast this week.
The latest statistics on T.D. 16 can be found at the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center.
The system could continue to strengthen while over warm water in an environment with little wind shear during the next 24 hours.
T.D. 16 will then bring eastern and central Cuba heavy rain, tropical storm-force winds and battering surf, especially along the south-central shore, late tonight into Wednesday morning.
Four to 8 inches could soak central parts of Cuba with locally higher amounts over the mountains.
Life-threatening flash flooding and mud slides can result from upwards of 6 inches of rain at the local level.
The higher terrain of Cuba could cause the system to lose strength before it moves back over the open water of the Straits of Florida on Wednesday.
Southern and central Florida and the Bahamas are in line for hefty rainfall, especially later Wednesday, that may also result in flash flooding.
High winds will slam the east coast of Florida, perhaps causing localized damage and coastal flooding.
The system will then move on to impact much of the East Coast during the latter part of this week with potentially flooding rainfall, high winds, rough surf and dangerous rip currents.
The strength and the exact track of the storm as it skirts the Eastern Seaboard are still far from set in stone.
The system will be battling strong wind shear by the time it reaches the East Coast of the U.S., and this could prevent it from strengthening or even maintaining tropical storm strength.
Even if the system is just a remnant low by the time it reaches the East Coast, heavy rainfall and flooding will be the major concern.
However, gusty winds and beach erosion could become serious problems as well.
A storm system lashing the East early this week will leave the East more vulnerable to flooding. Some parts of eastern North Carolina have been deluged by more than 10 inches of rain.
Residents and business interests of Florida, the Bahamas and the East Coast should keep checking back with AccuWeather.com for updates on T.D. 16 destined to become Tropical Storm Nicole.
Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski contributed to the content of this story.
Related to the Story:
Watching for Nicole along the US East Coast
Florida May Be in the Heart of Troptober Frenzy
Follow us on Twitter Breaking Weather
Southeast Weather with Frank Strait
More Weather News
-
Memorial Day Weekend Heat Wave
May 23, 2012; 7:48 PM ET
Break out the fans and air conditioners and get the pools ready as a heat wave is poised for portions of the Midwest and mid-Atlantic this Memorial Day weekend.
-
Severe Storm Threat Wisconsin to Nebraska
May 23, 2012; 7:47 PM ET
Locally damaging storms will shift farther to the east and south in the Midwest into tonight.
-
.jpg)
Southwest Winds Elevate Fire Risk, Threaten Blowing Dust
May 23, 2012; 7:46 PM ET
High winds will slam portions of California and the Desert Southwest late this week, bringing the already high fire threat to extreme levels and ushering in cooler air.
-
Bud to Strengthen into a Hurricane in the Eastern Pacific
May 23, 2012; 7:45 PM ET
Bud may become the first hurricane of the season in the eastern Pacific, brushing the central Mexico coast with rain as it passes by.
-
Big Storms from Carolinas to the Delmarva
May 23, 2012; 7:43 PM ET
As a disturbance rolls slowly northeastward, thunderstorms from portions of the Carolinas to the Delmarva can be especially nasty into this evening.
-
Chile Drought May Be Dented by Rainstorm
May 23, 2012; 7:40 PM ET
A major rainstorm may be in the offing for drought-hit central and mid-southern Chile, including the nation's biggest population centers.
-
Everest Death Toll 4 from Weekend Rush
May 23, 2012; 7:38 PM ET
Another Everest climber was found dead this morning, bringing the weekend death toll to four, with one climber still missing.
-
India Heat Wave as Monsoon Eagerly Awaited
May 23, 2012; 7:35 PM ET
Sweltering heat, the hottest of 2012 in some areas, has spread discomfort across the Indian subcontinent, spurring anticipation of the coming rainy season
-
Still Rebuilding One Year After The Joplin, Mo., Tornado
May 23, 2012; 7:33 PM ET
-
East Daily Downpours This Week
May 23, 2012; 7:32 PM ET
A stalled weather pattern will bring a daily dose of disruptive downpours from portions of Florida to New England.
Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 100° | Wink, TX |
| Low | 29° | Mullan Pass, ID |
| Precip | 1.17" | Chapel Hill, NC |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
.jpg)
Comments
Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.