Quiet pattern to start the week, but the tropics will be closely watched

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Good Monday morning everyone!

We'll start sunny with warm and humid conditions outside. Temperatures will rise quickly, with highs reaching just under 30 degrees today and the heat index in the low triple digits. A few fair weather clouds will move in in the afternoon, but the chance of a light shower developing is less than 10%.

Tuesday is shaping up to be a very similar day before conditions deteriorate a bit in the second half of Wednesday as we watch what becomes of Invest 97-L and where it is headed.

There is still a lot of uncertainty about the intensity of the system and the possible landfall. But these questions will gradually be answered over the next few days. Possible impacts on Florida would only occur during the night from Wednesday to Thursday. More information below…

Tropical Update…

Currently Invest 97-L, not yet a true tropical depression, but a broad low pressure system with disorganized thunderstorm activity. Conditions are likely for a developing low pressure system today and a tropical storm tomorrow in the western Caribbean. From there, the flow should move it into the southern Gulf on a track between Cuba and the Yucatan, likely strengthening into a hurricane by Wednesday morning.

Warm waters still provide the potential for further strengthening, but dry air aloft and low shear would simultaneously work against strengthening. The intensity of the storm is still uncertain due to these factors.

Where the storm will make landfall is still unclear, but it looks like it will make landfall somewhere in Florida between Tampa and the Panhandle.

The impacts are not yet known, but we advise people to prepare for AT LEAST a weak hurricane to make landfall in Florida sometime on Thursday. Check your hurricane gear and upgrade as needed.

Changes in intensity are possible. Your preparations should be flexible depending on the direction and strength of the storm. Tune in daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, as details will become clearer tomorrow and Wednesday.

All rights reserved.