The 2:00 PM update from the National Hurricane Center has now labeled the low pressure area in the western a tropical depression. This is an upgrade from the previous label; tropical disturbance. The probability that it will become a tropical storm is still high.
Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the Florida coast by Monday afternoon. The center of the depression is forecast to approach the coast of the Florida Big Bend area Monday afternoon.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm before reaching the coast of Florida.
The depression is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches possible across the Florida peninsula.
Isolated tornadoes are possible Monday afternoon across portions of Florida and far southern Georgia.
The Apopka Voice will continue to monitor this developing situation.
