Florida

Tropical system could impact Florida late this weekend

Published

2 years ago

August 1, 2024

Tropical system could impact Florida late this weekend

WWSB ABC7 News at 6pm

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The tropical wave we have been telling you about for the past few days is still just that a tropical wave or line of low pressure. Although storms are starting to fire up around this system there is no sign of a closed low at this time. The system has a 60% chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm late this weekend or early next week. Since the system is not really organizing that quickly it looks like the wave will get into the Gulf of Mexico instead of moving north along Florida’s east coast like the EURO has been suggesting over the past few days.

The area where a tropical depression or storm may be forming has shifted west into the E. Gulf of Mexico(WWSB)

The EURO along with the American forecast model now shows the tropical wave and moisture moving into the E. Gulf of Mexico late weekend and then possibly developing in the E. Gulf of Mexico. Since the area is slow in developing it now looks more and more likely that it will bring us the potential of some heavy rain late Sunday through early next week. It is still too early to say what we will be dealing with but some heavy rain at times is a real possibility later this weekend and possible stretching into mid week next week.

Nothing to be too concerned about right now but it does need to be monitored closely over the next several days. Right now it looks like it wouldn’t be a strong tropical cyclone if it were to develop but I must remind you that intensity forecasting of any system is difficult especially with a system that hasn’t even formed a center of low pressure at the time of the writing. Water temperatures are very warm now in the Gulf and over the SE Atlantic. It will be battling some wind shear but conditions could become conducive for some more development once in the eastern Gulf. The models will be changing quite a bit so don’t focus just on where the center is projected to be in several days from now.

What you should be doing now is going over your hurricane plan and checking your hurricane supply kit. Even if this system doesn’t impact our weather we still have a long way to go with the peak hurricane months ahead of us. Also know your evacuation level, is it A,B,C,D or F. Evacuation zones are designated from A to F. Generally, Zone A is most vulnerable and most likely to be evacuated first, and Zone F is most likely to be evacuated last.

The area in which the system may develop into a tropical cyclone has shifted to the left or into the Gulf of Mexico.

Our weather for Thursday will be like it was today with a few scattered storms during the afternoon and evening otherwise look for mostly sunny skies in the morning followed by partly cloudy skies in the afternoon.

The weekend weather forecast is going to change based on the future track of this tropical disturbance. We will see our rain chances increasing as the tropical wave or whatever develops moves near or over Florida.

Tropical disturbance to bring the potential for some heavy rain later this weekend(WWSB)

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Related Topics:Debby Featured Forecast hurricane Manatee sarasota Tropical disturbance weather

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Florida

How to save your Florida plants after a winter freeze: A guide

Published

2 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Press Room

How to save your Florida plants after a winter freeze: A guide

If your yard was damaged by the freezing temperatures, don’t panic. Some plants may look worse before they get better.
Scratch the bark of a plant lightly with a fingernail or a coin. If the revealed area is green, the plant is still alive.
Water your plants. Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and releases it slowly overnight.

Recent freezing weather may have damaged plants in your yard, but not all damage is permanent.

Some plants may look worse before they get better, according to Sara MacDonald at the St. Lucie County Extension office of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

We compiled a list of things residents should do with their plants after freezing temperatures to help them recover and avoid causing more damage, along with some tips for preventing damage before the next freeze. Here’s what to do to tell if your plant has been killed, and how to save it if it still has a chance.

How to tell if a plant is killed by freezing temperatures, or just damaged

Scratch the bark of a plant lightly with a fingernail or a coin. If the revealed area is green, the plant is still alive. If it is brown or black, the plant is likely dead.

Guidelines for watering Florida plants before and after a freeze

Here are some things to remember when watering plants:

Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and releases it slowly overnight
Cold, windy weather can dry plants out
Water plants to help thaw soil and rehydrate roots
Container plants may need extra attention
Suspend irrigation during freezing conditions

What NOT to do after plants are frozen

Here are some things to avoid if your plants suffered during low temperatures.

Avoid heavy pruning right after a freeze. Cutting too early can remove living tissue and stimulate vulnerable new growth.
Don’t fertilize right after a freeze. Wait until warmer weather and active growth return
Don’t over-water. Watering is important to help plants that dried out in the cold, dry air, but drowning the plants will cause more harm than good.

How to protect Florida plants from the next freeze

Another cold front is moving through Florida on Thursday, Feb. 5., so here are some tips to protect your plants.

Cover your plants to trap heat from the soil, and make sure the cover reaches the ground, said Maria Quirico Bautista, a UF/IFAS Lake County residential horticulture agent via email Jan. 29. Secure the cover with bricks or pins, especially this weekend since very gusty winds are expected.

Recommended covers include:

frost cloth
burlap
old bed sheets

Additionally, apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch to insulate roots, but avoid piling mulch against the trunk.

You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tcpalm.com/newsletters.

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Florida

FSU football recruiting: Florida High’s Keenen Jeune signs as a walk-on

Published

14 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

FSU football recruiting: Florida High’s Keenen Jeune signs as a walk-on

Florida State football picked up another local product during National Signing Day. Florida High’s WR Keenen Jeune announced on Wednesday morning that he will be a preferred walk-on for the Seminoles and officially on Wednesday afternoon.

Jeune had a career year as a senior after finishing the last season with 46 catches, 759 receiving yards and five touchdowns. As a three-year starter, he recorded 73 catches, 1,138 receiving yards and five scores. He made second-team All-Big Bend.

The Tallahassee native is the fourth local player to be part of the 2026 class. Jeune joins Godby’s linebacker Trenton Rogers, who also signed his letter on the same day, and Gadsden County’s Jakobe Green and Daylen Green, both of whom are already enrolled.

Florida High finished 5-7 last season.

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

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Florida

Florida warns of Amber Alert scam. Here’s what’s happening

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Florida warns of Amber Alert scam. Here’s what’s happening

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