TROPICS LIVESTREAM: Hurricane center eyes Invest 97L. Here’s what it could mean for Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. – A tropical wave could bring big-time rain to Florida as it continues its path through the Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Center designated the system as Invest 97L.

With this designation, spaghetti models are now going to be generated through the day. Late Thursday morning, Hurricane Hunters have been sent on the first mission into the system where vital information will be gathered to better improve those forecast models.

The system is expected to enter favorable environmental conditions for development and could become a tropical depression this weekend or early next week over the eastern Gulf of Mexico or far southwestern Atlantic Ocean, including in the vicinity of Florida.

“This could become a big-time rainmaker for Central Florida. That’s certainly a big-time possibility,” Chief Meteorologist Candace Campos said. “Are we talking about a hurricane over Florida? That’s much less likely.”

Satellite imagery shows more robust convection developing from Puerto Rico through the eastern Bahamas as it battles less Saharan dust.

As of Thursday, many outlying models that kept the wave out in the Atlantic are turning more west, increasing the chances for more of a Florida/Gulf of Mexico impact. The steering flow around the tropical wave will be key in determining where this system will go as it approaches the Florida coast.

Models are now hinting at a very slow-moving system approaching the Florida coast by late this weekend, possibly bringing tropical downpours for several days.

“We’re talking about a lot of rain in a short amount of time,” Campos said.

Although this won’t be a big wind event, days of rain brings obvious concerns.

There is a 20% chance of development in the next 48 hours and a 60% chance of development over the next seven days.

Things to know:

• Models are trending more west

• Could be a Florida soaker

• Timing: Late Sunday to Tuesday

If the wave moves into the Gulf, plenty of hot waters could fuel development into a tropical depression or storm early next week. If it gets a name, it would be Debby.

Hurricane season runs through November.