Invest 93-L is located over the Northeastern tip of the Yucatan peninsula this morning with max winds of 35mph and a minimum pressure of 1005 millibars; and it will be emerging over the southern Gulf later today.
In addition, 93-L is becoming better organized with deep convection beginning to fire closer to the center; and the National Hurricane Center is now giving 93L a 90% chance of developing into tropical depression 3 or tropical storm Colin over the next 48 hours and 120 hours. The hurricane hunters are scheduled to investigate 93-L this afternoon and it wouldn’t be surprising for them to find that 93-L is a tropical storm.
Overall it is looking likely that we could have tropical storm Colin before the end of the day.
Forecast for 93-L: 93-L will emerge in the Southern Gulf later this morning and will likely become a tropical depression – or more likely tropical storm Colin – later this afternoon at the earliest and tonight at the latest. It will then move north into the central Gulf tomorrow and strengthen into a moderate tropical storm with 45 – 55mph winds before making landfall between Apalachicola and Tampa.
Impacts: The main impacts from invest 93-L or what ever it becomes will be winds between 45 – 55mph, perhaps some minor storm surge along the west coast of Florida, heavy rainfall with totals of 4 – 8″, flash flooding, and rough surf. Tornadoes will also be a concern across the Florida Peninsula as well.
The worst of the weather will occur in the eastern quadrants so regardless of landfall central and south Florida will feel the worst of the weather. For impacts specific to your location consult your local National Weather Service office.
We will have another update on 93-L out later tonight. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter for future updates. We will be tweeting the latest today from the recon mission today as it happens. You should also monitor the latest updates from the National Hurricane Center.
