ORLANDO, Fla. — There is an increased threat that a tropical storm or hurricane could form in the Caribbean as soon as this weekend.
See forecast updates below:
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9:30 p.m. update
The tropics continue to stay active tonight, but it’s waves from Hurricane Fiona to monitor on the coast, Channel 9 Certified Chief Meteorologist Tom Terry said.
Invest 98 will also be worth watching into early next week as it travels into the northwest Caribbean and approaches the southern Gulf, Terry said.
The tropics continue to stay active tonight, but it's waves from Hurricane #Fiona we'll be monitoring at the coast. #Invest98 will also bear close watching into early next week as it travels into the NW Caribbean and approaches the southern Gulf. #EyeonTropics pic.twitter.com/Oa7WyKaiBj
— Tom Terry (@TTerryWFTV) September 22, 2022
5:30 p.m. update
Channel 9 chief meteorologist Tom Terry said Hurricane Fiona is expected to strengthen as it moves north away from Florida’s east coast.
As it continues up the coast, Terry said the storm will send 6 to 9-foot waves to east coast beaches as well as high rip current threats.
Terry is also tracking Invest 98, a system that is likely to develop by this weekend and early next week. He said it could become a hurricane in the northwest Caribbean.
#Invest98 doesn't look like much now, but by the weekend and into early next week, the system will likely develop further and could quickly become a hurricane in the NW Caribbean. All eyes on the Gulf next week. #EyeonTropics @WFTV pic.twitter.com/RgQyEUjTmE
— Tom Terry (@TTerryWFTV) September 21, 2022
#Fiona 5pm Tuesday: Winds 130mph, and expected to strengthen as it moves north well off our east coast. Waves of 6-9ft are on the way at the coast through Friday, so be VERY CAREFUL getting in the ocean. High rip current threat is an understatement. Live on @WFTV. #EyeonTropics pic.twitter.com/xe07gqOpIy
— Tom Terry (@TTerryWFTV) September 21, 2022
11:30 a.m. update
Channel 9 meteorologist Rusty McCranie said there is now a 90% chance that a tropical cyclone will form from the disturbance in the Caribbean.
“Currently, it’s a broad, sheared system, and models have a very hard time depicting with any skill where something that’s as weak as this currently is will move,” McCranie said.
Meanwhile, as of 11 a.m., Hurricane Fiona has winds holding at 130 mph. The powerful Category 4 storm is moving away from the Bahamas and will have a close enough approach to Bermuda to at least bring tropical storm conditions to the island.
Read: Kissimmee church hosts donation drive to help Puerto Rico following impact of Hurricane Fiona
Eyes on the Caribbean, as there is now a 90% we'll have tropical cyclone formation from this disturbance. Currently, it's a broad, sheared system, and models have a very hard time depicting with any skill where something that's as weak as this currently is will move. pic.twitter.com/1r10HAvcfG
— Rusty McCranie (@RMcCranieWFTV) September 21, 2022
Wednesday 11am Fiona: Winds holding at 130mph. A powerful Cat 4, Moving away from the Bahamas. Close enough approach to Bermuda to at least bring tropical storm conditions to the island. pic.twitter.com/jdZ3YdAoQB
— Rusty McCranie (@RMcCranieWFTV) September 21, 2022
Original report:
Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields said the system could quickly develop into a tropical storm as it enters the central Caribbean. The next named storm will be Hermine.
He said it could be just south of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands as it strengthens into a hurricane.
“All areas along the Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, should monitor the progress of this system,” Shields said.
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The system is forecast to stay south of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic.
Storm Threat Increases for the Caribbeanhttps://t.co/r1Z4seCH8U
— Brian Shields, WFTV (@BrianWFTV) September 21, 2022
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