Storm could develop in coming days and head into eastern Gulf of Mexico near Florida

Invest 97L could develop into tropical depression this weekend or early next week.

By The News Service of Florida
| 3:52 p.m. August 1, 2024

Ormond Beach Observer
News

Almost all of Florida could be affected as a tropical wave is expected to develop into a stronger storm within the next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Called Invest 97, the storm system on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 1, was producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over areas including Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the southeastern Bahamas.

It had a 70 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression this weekend or early next week when it could be in the eastern Gulf of Mexico near Florida, according to the hurricane center.

AccuWeather meteorologists urged people along the U.S. Gulf Coast and southeast Atlantic coast to monitor the system. Bernie Rayno, chief on-air meteorologist for AccuWeather, said in a news release that if the system isn’t shredded by the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola, it could further develop and possibly have major impacts.

“There’s not much dry air or disruptive wind shear in the path of this tropical rainstorm,” Rayno said. “The east coast and west coast of Florida are both on the table. We need to watch this storm carefully over the next 48 hours.”