Tracking the Tropics: Potential Tropical Cyclone now expected to make landfall as Category 2 hurrica

The National Hurricane Center says Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine formed Monday in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to become the season's next named hurricane.

The NHC issued a cone Monday showing where forecast models expect the system to move. The Tampa Bay area is within the cone of uncertainty.

PTC 9 is expected to "strengthen significantly" over the next few days, becoming a hurricane by Wednesday. When the system gets a name, it'll be Helene.

As of the latest advisory, PTC 9 is about 100 miles southwest of Grand Cayman. It's moving north-northwest at 6 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour.

Tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Florida, Mexico and Cuba. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the lower Florida Keys, south of the Seven Mile Bridge.

A storm surge watch and tropical storm watch have been issued along the southwest coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to Flamingo.

While there is still some uncertainty, models are in better agreement that the system will strengthen while moving northward over the Gulf of Mexico. Although it is too soon to specify the exact location and magnitude, areas along the Florida Gulf Coast should prepare for potential impacts from storm surge, heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Now is the time to make sure your hurricane kit is ready and up to date.

10 Tampa Bay is also monitoring a wave off the west coast of Africa for possible development. This tropical wave is bringing no threat to land or Florida at this time.

[bbucks]

This dude is good. Calm, gives you all scenarios. What to expect in every scenario. And above all stay calm. Count how many times he says it.

[mwb]

Every time yall says cat 2, it goes to cat 4. Be prepared, yall get off the cost. Just take a 4 day Vaca if you have to not worth it

[JaysunB]

Nobody knows what that thing is going to do, if I lived on the west coast of FL I wouldn’t take that storm lightly.

[DavidStarr-egkv]

Florida has been hit 3 times in the last year and every one has been in the same place

[yedidyah-jedshlomoh]

Helene! Helene! I'm begging of you please don't flood my land!
Helene! Helene! Please don't flood my land just because you can!

Late last night when we were all in bed,
Old lady Helene lit a lantern in the shed.
Well, the cow kicked it over, and this is what she said:
"There'll be a wet time in the old town tonight!"
Rain! Rain! Rain!

[BronxDoe]

Stay to the left 😂 I got stuff to do. I’m by Gainesville

[dtoney]

FSU isn’t the only college in Tallahassee. Just sayin’.

[leonhdg]

😢.It's funny how FAMU doesn't exist in his world😢

[jody]

So from a possible cat 4-5 yesterday to a 2 now? typical storm tracking.

[stormbunnie]

I'm still scared that low pressure will dip and it'll go big time west.... pls no I'm in a double wide from 79 that's busted up from sally still!

[Tampa]

We got nothing to worry about y'all 😊

[donaldbentley]

Mike use to be in jacksonville not sure why he went to tampa, rebecca berry channel 8 was in jacksonville to.

[WT]

Weather drama has become a big business for the media

[athenathegreatandpowerful]

The huge loading chaser is REALLY annoying. blocked

[greatscottmph]

All you newbies to Florida… run run run it’s going to be devastating. 😂. All us locals..going to get beer.

[WT]

Weather drama has become a big business

[mayuthedemon]

Everyone vaca on the other side or up north

[DypoMage]

Enjoy the roof while you still have it folks!

[nickyc]

What u do if u can not fixed this world ? Terminated it