Hurricane center says low odds system will form, but 9 foot waves could plague Florida coast

ORLANDO, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center remains vigilant tracking a system has formed off Florida’s east coast with little chance to become a tropical or subtropical depression or storm, but still serving up coastal threats starting Friday.

In its 8 a.m. tropical outlook, the NHC said the broad non-tropical area of low pressure just off Florida’s northeast coast in the Atlantic was mixing with a frontal boundary off the southeastern U.S. coast that continues to produce the same showers and thunderstorms that have been lashing Florida for the week.

“The low is unlikely to become a subtropical or tropical cyclone since it is forecast to remain frontal while moving generally northward and inland over the Carolinas late Saturday or Sunday,” NHC forecasters said.

The outlook gives the system only a 10% chance to become tropical or subtropical in the next two days, but forecasters warn it will still produce high winds, dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. coast for Florida up to Virginia.

“Heavy rainfall is expected in portions of the Carolinas and Virginia during the next few days. Hazardous marine conditions are also expected over the coastal and offshore waters where gale and storm warnings are in effect,” forecasters said.

The National Weather Service in Melbourne will issue a high surf advisory beginning at 2 p.m. Friday north of Cape Canaveral that will last into Saturday morning with large breaking waves of 7 to 9 feet expected along with a high rip current risk.

“High surf will affect the beaches in the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions,” the NWS advisory said. “Swimmers should remain out of the water due to large breaking waves and dangerous surf conditions. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.”

Volusia County beaches already have endured serious damage from both Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole in 2022.

The NWS said a gale warning is set to go into effect Friday afternoon off Volusia County’s coast “where the strongest winds are expected with frequent gusts to gale force.”

Also, both Brevard and Volusia counties will be under a wind advisory beginning Friday afternoon extending into the late evening with gusts up to 45 mph possible, the NWS stated.

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