Tropical Storm Philippe has formed from a patch of gusty weather southwest of Cuba, and a watch was issued for
coastal South Florida from Miami-Dade to the Upper Keys on Saturday.
coastal South Florida from Miami-Dade to the Upper Keys on Saturday.
Heavy rains across parts of South Florida began Saturday afternoon from the fringes of the fast-moving storm, which is racing across Cuba at 29 mph. The rains were expected to taper off later in the afternoon, before resuming Saturday night and into Sunday.
A flood watch has been issued for Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties through 4 a.m. Sunday, with two to four inches of rain possible, and six inches in isolated areas.
The worst of the storm will pass closest to South Florida from 9 or 10 p.m. to about 2 a.m., with Miami-Dade expected to experience the highest winds, and Broward and Palm Beach facing the possibility of a few inches of rain.
The storm currently has top wind speeds of 40 mph, and reached tropical storm strength by 5 p.m., which means winds of 39-73 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. advisory. A tropical storm watch means that these wind speeds are possible.
The forecast track for the storm’s center lies about 35 miles southeast of the Upper Keys and southeastern Miami-Dade County, and the strongest winds will be on the east side of the storm, the side farthest from Florida, the hurricane center said. But the hurricane center said even a slight shift to the west could bring tropical-storm force winds to the Keys or the mainland.
The tropical storm watch applies to coastal Miami-Dade County, which means everything east of Interstate 95 from the Broward County line to downtown, and then east of Dixie Highway through Homestead.
Broward County may see heavy rain, thunderstorms and high winds Satur night and into Sunday morning. Although Palm Beach County could experience similar effects, the risk there is lower, according to the National Weather Service.
To the extent the storm affects mainland South Florida, the worst of it is likely to be in Miami-Dade County, particularly east of I-95, said Robert Molleda, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Miami.
The storm is expected to move quickly through the region Sunday morning. A strong cold front is following behind it, which could produce lows in the 50s Sunday night.
Gov. Rick Scott met with officials from the Florida Department of Emergency Management and urged state residents to be on alert.
“As we do with every storm, Floridians must remain vigilant and be prepared right now for any potential impacts from [Tropical Storm Philippe],” the governor said, in a statement issued late Friday afternoon. “It is critical that families pay attention to weather alerts, especially to local watches and warnings.”
By: David Fleshler (Sun Sentinel).
Photo: Weather Nation.
Review: Emerging Market Formulations & Research Unit, Flagship Records.