Eta, soon to be a tropical storm again, to affect south Florida this weekend (H. Michael Mogil, CCM, CBM, NWA-DS*)
Weak steering winds are allowing Eta to take a forecasted serpentine path across the western Caribbean and Florida Straits. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center caution that Eta will have a much larger wind and rain field than a usual tropical storm or hurricane and that impacts will likely be felt outside the forecast cone. That cone showcases the expected error band for the storm because 66 2/3% of recent track positions fall within the cone (and 33 1/3% fall outside the cone).
Weather conditions (including cloudiness, heavy precipitation, winds, and coastal wave action) will all worsen for Naples and much of south Florida as we head into the upcoming weekend.
Right now, the storm’s center is expected to remain off the southwest Florida coast. However, given the weak steering currents and projected serpentine path, the only thing certain is a lot of uncertainty.
Please keep updated on the storm’s evolution, movement, and expected impacts.
© 2020 H. Michael Mogil
Originally posted 11/4/20
* The National Weather Association Digital Seal (NWA-DS) is awarded to individuals who pass stringent meteorological testing and evaluation of written weather content. H. Michael Mogil was awarded the second such seal and is a strong advocate for its use by weather bloggers.