The following post is NOT an official forecast and should not be used as such. It is just the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. It is NOT endorsed by any professional institution including storm2k.org For Official Information please refer to the NHC and NWS products.
Not that this depression will become very strong, maybe just a T.S but the reason it will not hit FL is because of the Atlantic ridge that fortunately has arrived JUST in time. This ridge has not been around up until now....even a week ago this storm would be able to cross the peninsula...so timing is everything isn't it and this time the timing is fortunate for FL...
From the NHC 5pm discussion:
THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE MOVING SLOWLY TOWARD THE NORTH AT ABOUT 6 KT...WHILE THE STEERING CURRENTS ARE WEAK. HOWEVER...A RIDGE IS EXPECTED TO BUILD OVER THE WESTERN ATLANTIC AND CENTRAL CARIBBEAN...WHICH SHOULD LEAD TO A GRADUAL INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED AND A SLIGHT TURN TO THE LEFT INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO. THE GFDL...GFS...UKMET...AND NOGAPS BRING THE SYSTEM NEAR THE NORTHERN GULF COAST IN ABOUT THREE DAYS...AND THE OFFICIAL FORECAST CLOSELY FOLLOWS THIS GUIDANCE.






