Depression likely to form as tropical wave moves towards Florida, Gulf of Mexico

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - A tropical wave that is expected to pass across Florida this weekend will likely become a tropical depression.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), a tropical wave moving through the Atlantic now has a 70 percent chance of formation over the next five days.

The wave is currently located over the Bahamas. It is associated with a sharp trough of low pressure.

The NHC anticipates limited development of this system through Thursday, with conditions forecasted to become a little more conducive for tropical cyclone formation over the weekend. A tropical depression is likely to form as the system moves slowly toward the west-northwest across the Florida Straits and southeastern Florida, and into the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Thankfully, this system does not have sufficient time over open waters to intensify into anything strong that would impact Florida with severe conditions. Florida should expect heavy rainfall and gusty winds over the weekend. The coastal counties will especially see the effects of this system.

TRACK THE TROPICS: Get the latest on the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season at ORLANDOHURRICANE.com

Meanwhile, forecasters are monitoring two other systems in the Atlantic. One system is located about 600 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. It is gradually diminishing and tropical cyclone formation is not anticipated. The other system is a tropical wave located off of the west coast of Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands. The NHC forecasts it moving quickly westward with some development possible.

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