The tropical wave we have been watching for the last 7 days continues to bring heavy rains to the Greater Antilles and it is set to continue to be very disorganized through the beginning of the weekend. It is this lack of organization that is preventing it from taking a northward turn. The messier, the harder it is for the high-pressure system to pick it up and guide it northward, keeping it east of Florida. So, the track has shifted and now we expect this messy system to move west of Florida and enter the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
What’s happening with Invest 97L?
This tropical wave was officially labeled Invest 97L and this simply just means that the National Hurricane Center is watching it even closer, and the labeling helps differentiate in model outputs. Conditions are likely to become more favorable for it to become better organized on Saturday, but keep in mind that it is not expected to become a full-fledged system right away on Saturday. It is likely to continue without a well-defined center of circulation with rains and thunderstorms spread out over Florida.
There is lots of uncertainty about it becoming a strong hurricane. Based on the National Hurricane Center’s forecast there could still be 7 days until this system receives a name. Florida needs to be ready for a big rain event.
Are there any impacts possible for South Carolina?
At this point, it is not certain that South Carolina will be getting direct impacts from this system. Thunderstorm activity on the weekend will be mainly due to local effects such as the sea breeze and heat, which will remain in place. Yes, it will continue to be dangerously hot, stay hydrated and limit activities outdoors. From Sunday on, there will be a stalled front that could provide more widespread thunderstorms. We will continue to monitor the tropical system for any track changes.