Persistent downpours douse Florida ahead of tropical concern in Gulf prior to Memorial Day

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

May 19, 2018, 3:36:06 AM EDT

Share this article:

The pattern that initiated the rainy season in Florida will continue indefinitely, while another tropical concern may arise prior to the Memorial Day weekend.

Even though a weak storm with some tropical features will continue to move inland over the eastern United States, a broad south to southeasterly flow of air is forecast to continue through this weekend and in the weeks ahead.

"This flow of air will pump in tropical air and bring daily doses of showers and thunderstorms," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorlogist Paul Pastelok.

As a result, downpours may be more frequent and thunderstorms more robust than the typical summertime regime of early morning coastal showers and afternoon storms over the interior of Florida.

Tropical trouble may brew from western Caribbean to eastern Gulf

The same weather pattern that raised brows for a potential tropical system over the eastern Gulf of Mexico earlier this week may cause showers and thunderstorms to gather near Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula later next week.

"Waters are sufficiently warm to spur tropical development in this area, and steering winds may guide any feature into the Gulf of Mexico," Pastelok said.

It is possible, instead of a well-organized feature, that a series of weak features continue to brew and move northward from the western Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico and/or Florida over the next couple of weeks.

While a well-defined tropical storm may tend to consolidate and focus the downpours and increase the risk of strong winds and rough surf, multiple weaker features may periodically enhance downpours and thunderstorms over Florida, Cuba, part of Central America and the Bahamas.

"The pattern should continue to chip away at the long-term drought in parts of Florida, especially southern areas of the state," Pastelok said.

While the pattern is likely to be unsettled, the tropical threat is not high enough to alter cruise or vacation plans at this time. However, people with these plans, as well as fishing and shipping interests, should continue to keep a close eye on the situation.

Despite the favorable environment for weak tropical systems to form, explosive tropical development is unlikely.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Comments

Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.

More Weather News

Heavy rain, storms to pummel central US into Monday

Weather News - August 18, 2018, 6:29:31 PM EDT

A sweep of cooler air in the central United States will be preceded by disruptive downpours and locally strong thunderstorms into the start of the new week.
No relief in sight as wildfires char millions of acres, create smoky haze in western US

Weather News - August 18, 2018, 7:01:38 PM EDT

The devastating western United States wildfire season may only grow worse in the coming weeks as dousing rainfall remains months away.
Strengthening Typhoon Soulik to threaten Japan, South Korea by midweek

Weather News - August 18, 2018, 1:04:51 PM EDT

Residents of southern Japan and South Korea are being put on alert for strengthening Typhoon Soulik to pose serious threats to lives and property Tuesday into Thursday.
Major Hurricane Lane to pass south of Hawaii while generating large swells

Weather News - August 18, 2018, 7:01:31 PM EDT

In the distant footsteps of Hurricane Hector, Major Hurricane Lane is forecast to take a similar path just south of the Big Island of Hawaii next week.
Northeastern US to catch break from rain parts of next week

Weather News - August 18, 2018, 7:01:23 PM EDT

Communities ravaged by flooding and residents tired of having outdoor plans spoiled in the northeastern United States will welcome some dry days during the coming week.
India: New week to bring reduction in flooding rain in hard-hit Kerala

Weather News - August 18, 2018, 4:01:04 PM EDT

Some relief is on the way to the hard-hit Indian state of Kerala, where thousands have been rescued from the deadly flooding.
Ernesto to spread rain, gusty winds across UK for the remainder of the weekend

Weather News - August 18, 2018, 12:42:44 PM EDT

Residents across parts of the United Kingdom will want to keep wellies and brollies handy as Ernesto sweeps rain through this weekend.
In case you missed it: Northeast rainstorm among heaviest without a tropical storm; Flooding displaces over 300,000 in India

Weather News - August 18, 2018, 8:35:17 AM EDT

Wet weather continued to wreak havoc across parts of the northeastern United States this week while a major bridge collapse killed dozens amid severe storms in Italy.