COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Hurricane Center issued advisories for Potential Tropical Storm Four early Thursday. The storm is expected to gain strength and become Debby over the weekend. Tropical watches and warnings are in effect for parts of Florida.
A well-defined tropical wave is bringing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms to several regions, including Hispaniola, the southeastern Bahamas, eastern Cuba, and the adjacent waters of the southwestern Atlantic.
The tropical wave is expected to pass near or over Cuba today and then shift towards the Straits of Florida tonight or by Saturday. Forecasters believe the environmental conditions in these areas are favorable for the wave to develop further.
Regardless of whether this system fully develops into a tropical storm or not, it is expected to bring heavy rainfall. This could lead to flash flooding in Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas over the weekend. Residents in these areas should stay informed and monitor the progress of this weather system closely. A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system later today to gather more data.
Potential South Carolina Impacts:
For South Carolina and the Midlands, there is a lot of uncertainty, especially regarding the potential tropical system. The path, speed, and strength of this system will play a crucial role in shaping our weather early next week.
If the system slows and stays near the coast, as some models suggest, our weather on Tuesday and Wednesday could be very different compared to a faster-moving system. Despite the uncertainty, it is reasonable to expect some rainfall in the eastern regions due to tropical moisture interacting with a slow-moving front.
2024 Hurricane Season
The 2024 hurricane season has already shown its potential for significant weather events, and this system could be added to the list. It is essential for residents in the potential impact zones to stay updated with the latest information from trusted authorities and to be prepared for any sudden changes. Keep an eye on local advisories and be ready to act if necessary.
The evolving nature of tropical weather systems means that conditions can change rapidly, so vigilance and preparation are key to staying safe during hurricane season.