Tropical Depression 2 churns in Gulf of Mexico; Will it impact Florida?
ORLANDO, Fla. - Tropical Depression 2 formed in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday, on the first day of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.
As of Friday morning, the system is moving slowly southward with little change in strength, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft found no evidence it intensified Friday morning, but forecasters say a short-lived increase to tropical storm strength cannot be ruled out. "However, conditions are expected to become increasingly unfavorable for intensification later today and tonight," the NHC said in an advisory.
Hurricane Hunters will continue investigating the system for the next several hours.
Will Tropical Depression 2 impact Florida?
The FOX 35 Storm Team said afternoon showers and storms will be possible with heavy rain at times this weekend in Central Florida.
Coverage remains at 40-50% and winds should not be of issue. Stay with the FOX 35 Storm Team as they continue to track the tropics.
RELATED HEADLINES:
- Where is Tropical Depression 2 headed?
- Why is this storm named Tropical Depression 2 and not Tropical Depression 1?
- Here are the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season names
Where is Tropical Depression Two?
According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Depression 2 is currently located in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, about 270 miles west of Fort Myers, Florida.
It has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and is moving south at 5 mph. "The system is forecast to weaken later today and tonight, and it is forecast to degenerate into a remnant low on Saturday," the NHC said.
nhc twitte
The NHC previously dubbed this disturbance Invest 91L on Wednesday afternoon. An invest is simply a designation used by the NHC to identify an area of weather that is being investigated for possible tropical development.