(WTXL) — Potential Tropical Cyclone Two is the designation for the area of disturbed weather in the Gulf of Mexico. It will likely be a tropical depression today or tomorrow.
Based on data from the latest updated forecast models, more evidence is building confidence that the future tropical depression will shift west as it develops and is expected to develop into a Category 1 hurricane.
This is good news for North Florida, but coastal flooding, rough surf, high rip current hazards, and heavy rains are still likely for the Big Bend coast.
The National Weather Service says that there's a 100 percent chance the system strengthens to a tropical depression or named storm over the next two days.
SO WHAT'S THE TIME LINE?
As far as a timeline goes for inclement weather, rain coverage will be at it's peak for Wednesday and Thursday as the system organizes south of the Big Bend.
We'll likely start seeing local impacts from the likely depression Wednesday afternoon. Those impacts are going to be limited to steady, occasionally heavy rain. The rain could be heavier in coastal regions and offshore.
The farther the system stays off shore, the less rain will accumulate. The closer it gets to our shores, the more rain will accumulate and the more likely it will be that we'll be facing a chance for a few stronger gusts on our coast. Stronger winds over water could elevate local water levels along the coast (especially the Forgotten Coast).
In most areas, we're anticipating 2 - 3 inches of rain through Friday, with lesser amounts anticipated as we move further inland toward South Georgia.
THE TAKE AWAY: DON'T PANIC, BUT GET PREPARED
Regardless of it's track or intensity, you can expect heavy rainfall, which could lead to some flash flooding.
For more on what you can do to get prepared in your apartment/home or in low-lying, flood prone areas, click here to watch our Hurricane Special: Prepare Now!
If you don't have your severe weather survival kit ready, now is a great time to get your necessities together. For our guide on what your kit should include, click here.
It is also important to have ways to receive watches and warnings.
The Storm Shield App will help keep you up to date and prepared for any severe weather threat. Search "Storm Shield" in the Apple App Store or Google Play and download it for updates and a live stream of our on-air coverage on your electronic device.
Be sure to also follow/like WTXL Tallahassee and the WTXL First Alert Weather pages on Facebook. You can also follow us on Twitter at @abc27 and @WTXLFirstAlert.
Below is a list of Tallahassee radio stations that provide WTXL's weather updates:
- 103.1 The Wolf
- Tally 99.9
- HOT 104.9
- Kool Oldies 106.1
Here's a list of links to report power outages in your area:
- City of Tallahassee utilities customers can report power outages here.
- Talquin Electric Cooperative customers can report power outages here.
- Duke Energy customers can report power outages here.
- Colquitt Electric Membership customers can report power outages here.
- Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative customers can report power outages here.
- Tri-County Electric Cooperative customers can report power outages here.
- Georgia Power customers can report power outages here.
- Mitchell Electric Membership Corporation customers can report power outages here.
- Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia customers can report power outages here.
- Thomasville Utilities customers can report power outages here.
- City of Moultrie Utilities customers can report power outages here.
