Soggy Florida weekend ahead

The tropical wave we’ve been watching all week will make for a soggy and breezy weekend across Florida.

The system, currently over eastern Cuba, will move into the eastern Gulf of Mexico over the next several days. Its close interaction with land will keep it from developing until Saturday when it slides into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. It could become Tropical Storm Debby at that point.

As it meanders eastward along the Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday and Sunday, it will spin heavy rain across the peninsula. Expect up to a foot of rainfall through the weekend, along with big gusty winds.

It is looking like a washout weekend for Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Coastal flooding and high waves are keeping everyone away from Gulf Coast beaches, and heavy rain could cause flash flooding. The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm watches and warnings and a state of emergency has been posted. Track the storm using the WeatherRadar, stay safe driving, and turn around if roads become covered in water.