Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News and scroll below for the latest updates on Invest 97L from Channel 9′s team of meteorologists:
11 a.m. update
Chief meteorologist Tom Terry said Thursday morning that the newly designated Invest 97L is now over the Dominican Republic and is moving west-northwest toward the Straits of Florida and the eastern Gulf of Mexico early this weekend.
“Water temperatures are in the upper 80s, adding plenty of fuel for this system to grow into Debby — possibly even a hurricane by late weekend and early next week near our west coast,” he said
Terry said the overnight Global Forecast System predict a storm near the west coast of Florida late this weekend and possibly stalling or slowing near the Big Bend of Florida.
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“Heavy rain and worse (is possible) with this scenario for the Sunshine State,” he said.
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And watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News at Noon for the latest update on this disturbance.
Earlier story
A tropical disturbance near Puerto Rico continues to become more organized.
The system has a 60% chance of tropical development over the weekend as it moves into the Bahamas.
The disturbance will be near Cuba and South Florida on Saturday.
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The forecast models have shifted more to the west and show the system moving into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.
It could be near the west coast of Florida as a tropical storm early next week.
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If that happens, it could mean substantial rain for Florida.
Where the storm will go and how strong it will be is uncertain because dry air has worked against its development.
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Channel 9 meteorologists will continue to monitor the system and provide updates on Eyewitness News.
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