Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for parts of Florida this weekend.
MIAMI — (AP / WWSH) - The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found Fred was near tropical storm strength Thursday night. Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for the Florida Keys and parts of South Florida.
As of 5 a.m., the system was 125 miles south-southwest of Great Exuma Island and 370 miles east-southeast of Key West. Maximum sustained winds are at around 35 mph with higher gusts.
The National Hurricane Center reported between Friday and Monday there could be heavy rainfall across southern and central Florida, and into the Big Bend of Florida. Tropical storm conditions are possible beginning Friday night and Saturday in the Florida Keys. A risk of tropical storm conditions will spread north along Florida's west coast and to the Panhandle Saturday night through Monday, officials say.
The depression is moving west-northwest at 10 mph. Fred is expected to turn northwest Friday night or Saturday. Slow strengthening is expected Friday through Saturday, with forecasters predicting Fred gaining tropical storm designation as it nears the Florida Keys.
Tropical Storm Watches:
- The Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, and Granma
- The southwest coast of Florida from Bonita Beach south and east to Ocean Reef including Florida Bay
Tropical Storm Warnings:
- The Florida Keys west of Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas
- Florida Bay
Forecasters are also watching a tropical wave over the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center says conditions are expected to become gradually more conducive for development and a tropical depression is likely to form over the weekend.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters monitoring oceanic and atmospheric patterns say conditions are now more favorable for above-normal hurricane activity.
The number of predicted storms is also greater with NOAA now expecting 10-17 named storms. Five to nine of those are forecast to become hurricanes.
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