The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical waves but tropical cyclone activity is not expected over the next seven days, the National Hurricane Center reported in its Sunday update.
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However, thunderstorms capable of drenching rainfall could bring flash flooding and strong wind gusts to portions of Florida, with waterspouts possible along the coast, AccuWeather forecasters said.
While the tropics are expected to remain calm for rest of August, forecasters expect the hurricane season to “dramatically intensify” by September.
“I think things could get very active potentially very quickly here as soon as that dry air goes away,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said, “We could see a parade of storms.” This dramatic increase in activity will start at the end of August and persist throughout September.
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After Ernesto, the next named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season will be Francine.
Florida hurricane tax free holiday for disaster supplies underway
Florida’s second Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday of the year started Saturday and runs through Friday, September 6. The first exemption period was June 1-14.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue, consumers can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from sales tax during the 2024 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.
Eligible items for the tax-free holiday include:
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A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less.
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A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less.
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An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less.
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A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less.
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A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less.
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A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less.
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A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less.
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A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less.
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A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less.
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A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather-band radio with a sales price of $50 or less.
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A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less.
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A portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) with a sales price of $40 or less, including: flashlights, lanterns and candles.
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Eligible light sources and radios qualify for the exemption, even if electrical cords are included in the purchase.
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Reusable ice (ice packs) with a sales price of $20 or less.
Hurricane models of mayhem: Which is best? Spoiler alert: It’s none of the above
Watching the tropics: What’s out there and how likely are they to strengthen?
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First wave: An Atlantic Ocean tropical wave is off the coast of Africa near 44W, from 20N southward, moving westward at around 11 mph.
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Second wave: A Caribbean Sea tropical wave is near 89W, from 22N southward, moving westward 11 mph. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is noted over the NW Caribbean.
National Hurricane Center map: What are forecasters watching now?
No tropical cyclone activity is currently expected or monitored by the National Hurricane Center.
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
Excessive rainfall forecast
When is hurricane season in Florida?
The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to Nov. 30 every year, with the most active part of the season between August and October.
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the National Hurricane Center.
What’s next?
We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site’s app to ensure you’re always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here.
Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network-Florida
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tropics: NHC tracking 2 waves. Thunderstorms, flooding in FL forecast
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