Season's 3rd Tropical Storm Heading Our Way?

There are signs of possible tropical storm developing in the Caribbean that may make its way to Apopka on Monday.

The National Hurricane Center estimates the probability of tropical storm development in the next 48 hours at 70%.

According to AccuWeather, a disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms is currently showing signs of development in the central Caribbean Sea, and it is expected to bring flooding downpours and rough seas to Florida early next week.

The most likely path will take the system onshore along the west coast of Florida, across the Florida Peninsula and into the Atlantic during the first part of next week. Latest indications point toward the system moving inland north of the Tampa area Monday afternoon into Monday night.

"The system could be a tropical depression or tropical storm by the time it reaches Florida," according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski. "We feel that there is a 90% chance this disturbance will become an organized tropical system in the form of at least a depression and a 70% chance of this becoming a named tropical storm." he said.

The next tropical storm in the Atlantic basin will acquire the name Colin.

The risk of flooding downpours and locally damaging thunderstorms in Florida will increase Monday and into Tuesday as the system moves northeastward.

There is the potential for 6-12 inches of rain to fall and trigger flooding so severe that evacuations could be ordered.

"Residents and visitors of Tampa, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Naples and Miami should prepare for the potential flooding downpours even if the system never becomes a tropical storm and acquires a name," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said. "If the system strengthens into a tropical storm, it would be accompanied onshore by an area of winds capable of causing power outages and tree damage," she said. "An isolated tornado may spin up east and southeast of the system's center as it crosses the Florida Peninsula."