Tropical Storm Arlene, the first named storm of the hurricane season, forms in the Gulf of Mexico as Florida braces for heavy rainfall
- The National Hurricane announced they had named the tropical season Arlene, the first of the season
- While it is expected to weaken over the weekend and move towards Cuba, it could lead to heavy rainfall in southern parts of Florida
- It comes after forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they expect a “nearly normal hurricane season” this year.
Tropical Storm Arlene formed in the Gulf of Mexico earlier today, making it the first named storm of the 2023 season.
In an advisory released just after 1:30 p.m., the National Hurricane Center announced that they had named the storm located 150 miles west of Fort Myers, Florida.
The National Hurricane Center said in an advisory that no coastguards or warnings are currently in effect and that it is headed for Cuba.
They also reported that the storm had sustained winds of 40 mph, forcing them to name it.
Storms with winds of 39 mph deserve a name and if that wind reaches 74 mph it becomes a hurricane and if it reaches 111 mph it is considered a major hurricane.
Their report did say that hazards affecting land could reach four inches of rain, but as much as six inches through central and southern Florida.
The storm pictured here is currently in the Gulf of Mexico moving south toward Cuba
In an advisory released just after 1:30 p.m., the National Hurricane Center announced that they had named the storm located 150 miles west of Fort Myers, Florida.
The center said they expect Arlene to weaken tonight and is expected to degenerate by Saturday.
It comes after forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said they expect a “nearly normal hurricane season” this year.
Their outlook for the season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 40% chance of a near normal season, a 30% chance of an above normal season and a 30% chance of a below normal season.
NOAA said they expect between 12 and 17 storms in total, with between 5 and 9 potentially becoming hurricanes.
Their report also said there could be four major hurricanes during the season.
A flood watch has now been put in place in parts of southern and southeastern Florida, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
Their report said hazards affecting land could reach up to four inches of rain, but could reach as much as six inches through central and southern Florida.
NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D, said, “With a changing climate, the data and expertise NOAA provides emergency managers and partners to support decision making before, during and after a hurricane has never been more critical.
“To that end, this year we are operationalizing a new hurricane forecasting model and extending the tropical cyclone outlook chart from five to seven days, giving relief managers and communities more time to prepare for storms.”
Last year, Florida’s west coast was decimated by Hurricane Ian after the “super storm” swept through the Gulf of Mexico.
Eight months after the devastating storm, hundreds of Floridians are still displaced after the storm claimed 156 lives.