Florida braces for heavy rainfall and coastal flooding this weekend
East Florida Braces for Intense Rain and Coastal Flooding This Weekend
Weather Alerts for East Florida and Coastal Georgia
The east coast of Florida is on high alert for multiple rounds of rain and potential coastal flooding starting this weekend and extending into Monday. Coastal Flood Alerts are currently active from the east coast of Florida up to parts of coastal Georgia. This is due to the effects of funneled offshore winds resulting from a stalled front combined with a high-pressure system over the Northeast. Residents in affected areas should prepare for minor coastal flooding with potential inundation ranging between 1 to 2 feet during high tides.
Intensive Monitoring in South Daytona
In South Daytona, the City Manager and Public Works Department are preemptively monitoring neighborhoods for any flooding issues that may arise due to the worsening weather conditions. A Flood Watch is in effect from Jupiter Island up to Daytona Beach, lasting until Sunday morning. The forecast predicts widespread rain along the coast, with potential accumulations reaching 1 to 3 inches, and locally higher amounts of up to 5 to 6 inches.
Widespread Flood Threat Across the Region
While the east-central Florida coast faces the highest flood risk this Saturday through the weekend, there remains an isolated flood threat—classified as Level 1 out of 4—for much of the east coast of Florida through Monday. Additionally, showers and thunderstorms are possible across other Gulf Coast regions, potentially leading to flooding downpours in cities like New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama.
Stalled Front Increasing Flood Risk
The stalled front over the Florida Peninsula contributes to the lingering coastal flooding, worsening the overall flood threat expected during high tides. While there is a minimal chance of this front developing into a tropical disturbance due to high wind shear, it will still bring scattered showers and thunderstorms across the peninsula as it gradually moves northwest into the Gulf of Mexico.
Tropical Wave Activity and Future Forecasts
Meanwhile, a tropical wave emerging from the coast of Africa presents a moderate chance of developing into a tropical disturbance over the next week, with a 50% probability of development in the coming seven days. Although dry air and wind shear presently hinder its development into a tropical system, conditions may improve next week, increasing the likelihood of it becoming the next tropical system of the season.
Although the potential system could follow a path similar to that of Gabrielle, it remains too early to predict its track and potential impacts. The Atlantic hurricane season officially concludes on November 30, leaving ample time for further developments and forecasts.
