Tropical Depression 4 has formed just South of Cuba and is expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Once it becomes a tropical storm, it will be called Tropical Storm Debby. The storm is not expected to threaten or have a major impact on our area.
Tropical Depression 4 Update
Tropical Depression 4 had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph as of the 4 AM update from the National Weather Service. The storm was moving WNW at 16 mph and had a central pressure of 1009 MB.
This storm has been monitored for days going across the Atlantic. While out at sea, the tropical wave faced dry air and strong wind sheer that prohibited development. As it moves into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico it will find a much more favorable environment.
As the track of the storm became clear over the past few days, meteorologists began to worry about the potential this storm had for explosive development. The possibility of rapid intensification could not be ignored.
Early models had the tropical cyclone moving into the panhandle of Florida. This would have given the storm significant time to develop. The track has now moved further East, and the storm is now expected to impact the West coast of the peninsula of Florida. Fortunately, this will cut down on development time.
When Will The Storm Become A Tropical Storm?
With maximum sustained winds of 30 mph, the system remains a tropical depression. Once those winds reach 39 mph, it will become Tropical Storm Debby. If winds reach 75 mph, the storm will become Hurricane Debby.
Hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Florida, meaning hurricane conditions are possible over the next few days in areas under the watch.
Tropical systems need warm water to develop and grow stronger. The Gulf of Mexico’s waters are extremely warm as we are going through one of the hottest years on record. Those warm waters could lead to rapid intensification. Debby could be a major hurricane when it hits.
Hurricane Preparedness
It appears as though we will be spared the ill effects of this tropical system. But this close call is a good time to begin preparations for future potential hurricanes. Meteorologists expect this to be a busy hurricane season, and the Gulf of Mexico typically sees most of its storms later in the season.
The first step in hurricane preparedness is to stay informed by keeping an eye on the weather. Fortunately, this is easier than ever thanks to cell phones and the internet. With a good weather app, you have forecasts at your fingertips 24/7.
You should have a good evacuation route planned in case a catastrophic storm threatens the area. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to plan an evacuation.
Stocking up on supplies to ride out a storm is also important. Key items include batteries, a weather radio, bottled water, and flashlights. Non-perishable foods are good to have as well. When a hurricane comes through you could be without power for days.