TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- The tropics remain active with three areas of interest that we are watching.
Hurricane Irma continues to close in on the Leeward Islands, moving west at 14 mph. This storm is currently a category 4 with winds sustained near 140 mph. It is expected that Irma will track near or over the northern portion of the Leeward Islands by Tuesday night as a major hurricane. This will bring strong winds, and rough surf to those islands.
As we move closer to the weekend, Hurricane Irma is forecast to move over Cuba and the Bahamas, nearing southern Florida.
**Governor Scott has declared a State of Emergency for all counties in Florida ahead of this storm.** At this time, it is too early to determine what impacts Irma may have on the United States, or Florida, but this is a good reminder to have your hurricane kit prepared and ready to go, just in case. As always, updates will be given on Hurricane Irma as they come in.
Behind Hurricane Irma, several hundred miles southwest of the Cape Verde Islands is an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. This disturbance is moving west northwest at 10 to 15 mph. This area of interest has an 80% chance of formation in the next five days as the environmental conditions are expected to support gradual development.
In the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, there is an area of low pressure producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Conditions are marginally favorable for development as this drifts west northwest, staying in the Gulf of Mexico. At this time, there is only a 60% chance of formation in the next five days for this disturbance.