Friday, June 3, 2022 7:10 PM

Tropical Storm Warnings issued ahead of soon-to-be Alex

Christopher Nunley

Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for the southern half of the Florida Peninsula ahead of a tropical system that will likely become Tropical Storm Alex over the next few hours.

The system is currently in the southern Gulf of Mexico and has been designated Potential Tropical Cyclone One, which has allowed for the issuing of Tropical Storm Warnings in Florida. This tropical system has observed a strengthening low pressure with an increase in showers and thunderstorms associated with the area of low pressure.

Further strengthening is expected throughout Friday and Alex should be designated late Friday. The system will then move ENE toward south Florida over the weekend, making landfall Saturday afternoon south of Tampa.

Here are the 10 AM CDT Jun 3 Key Messages on Potential Tropical Cyclone One (#PTC1) which is forecast to soon become a Tropical Storm.

Heavy rains could lead to considerable flash and urban flooding across South Florida and the Keys. See https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB for more info. pic.twitter.com/sMYLniIteF

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) June 3, 2022

Upon landfall, Alex should remain a weak tropical storm due to enough wind shear over the Gulf preventing rapid intensifying, but regardless of the intensity, widespread heavy rain and gusty winds are expected for the southern half of the Florida Peninsula where the Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect.

Rain arrives Friday night and continues throughout Saturday. A widespread 3-8 inches is expected with isolated amounts around 10-12 inches are possible. This could lead to areas of flooding.

One significant impact associated with Potential Tropical Cyclone One (#PTC1) approaching S Florida is Heavy Rainfall. @NWSWPC has issued a moderate risk for excessive precipitation for S Florida including Miami metro, indicating that numerous flash flood events are possible. https://t.co/vOoWcqCBs2 pic.twitter.com/PM6WnOEy6o

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) June 3, 2022

Along with the heavy rain and flood potential, tropical storm force winds and isolated tornadoes are possible. The tornado threat begins Friday afternoon for south Florida and continues into Saturday.

A few tornadoes are possible tonight across the Florida Keys and southern Florida Peninsula, in association with Potential Tropical Cyclone One. See https://t.co/CBaEdWGgeR for more information regarding this potential tropical system. pic.twitter.com/VjCURab1la

— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) June 3, 2022

Impacts from this system depart Florida on Sunday as the system races NE into the open Atlantic. Additional slight strengthening is possible once the system moves over the warm Atlantic waters off the east coast of Florida but no additional impacts to the U.S. will be felt.