Where’s tropical wave going? Will it strengthen? Things to know about Florida forecast

Expect lots of rain and possible flooding this weekend as a tropical wave approaches Florida.

Here are four things to know about what could develop into Tropical Storm Debby:

▪ Track: The first cone was issued on Friday morning by the National Hurricane Center. Miami-Dade and Broward remain outside the cone, but the Keys and Gulf Coast are in it. Forecasters expect the system to enter the Florida Straits toward the state’s Gulf Coast, with a possible landfall north of Tampa Bay. Hurricane-hunter aircraft are flying into the wave on Friday.

▪ Impact on South Florida: Forecasters expect rainy weather in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the Florida Keys on Saturday and Sunday.

▪ Sandbags: Several South Florida cities, including Miami Beach, Lauderhill and Fort Lauderdale, are distributing sandbags in advance of possible flooding.

▪ Watches and warnings: The Florida Keys and much of the Gulf Coast of Florida are under a tropical storm watch, and the lower west coast is under a tropical storm warning. Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for parts of Florida, but not Miami-Dade or Broward.

MORE: Tropical storm watches issued for Florida Keys ahead of potential west coast landfall

This story was originally published August 2, 2024 at 9:29 AM.