Watching two areas for potential tropical development, one over parts of Florida with low-end development odds

Neither disturbances poses a direct threat to Southwest Florida.

Lauren HopeFORT MYERS, Fla. —

Your Gulf Coast Storm Team is closely monitoring an area of interest in the northeastern Gulf. As of 8 p.m. Wednesday, the development odds remain low. There is a 20% chance for development over the next seven days. Nothing is expected in the next 48 hours.

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An area of low pressure is expected to form over the northeastern Gulf this weekend. Slow development is possible as this disturbance drifts northeast by early next week.

Impact on Southwest Florida

Regardless of development, this disturbance will pose no direct threat to Southwest Florida. This will ramp up rain chances for Tampa and Florida’s Big Bend region heading into early next week.

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Rainfall potential in Florida

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This would bring beneficial rain as most of this region is still facing severe and extreme drought.

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While this is unlikely to become a named storm, the next name on the list is Tropical Storm Bertha. Be sure to frequently check back into the forecast as we monitor any indirect impacts along the Gulf Coast.

Area to Watch in East Atlantic

Along with the area in the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center has also highlighted a disturbance near the Cabo Verde Islands. This tropical wave has a low chance of becoming a tropical storm as it swirls by the islands tonight and tomorrow. As of 8 p.m. Wednesday, development odds sit at 10% over the next 48 hours.

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Any development would likely be short-lived, as the system will move into an area of high wind shear as it drifts into the open Atlantic over the weekend. This is not a threat to the U.S. or Florida.

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