Forecasters on watch for Florida storm

ORLANDO, Fla. — A well-defined low-pressure system over Central Florida’s east coast might develop into a tropical depression, according to the National Hurricane Center. The next named storm will be called Fred.

The system, which was about 150 miles east of Daytona Beach on Sunday afternoon, is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms in the area and remains at a 50% chance of developing into a tropical system, forecasters said.

“Environmental conditions are marginally conducive for development,” the hurricane center said. “A tropical depression could still form later today [Sunday] or early Monday while the low drifts westward or west-northwestward toward the northeast coast of Florida.”

The hurricane center said it sent out an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft early Sunday and reported minimal change in strength since Saturday, but “Interests in Florida should continue to monitor the progress of this system.”

A large amount of dry Saharan dust from Africa has been over the Caribbean and Florida in recent weeks, acting as a tropical storm shield. The dust helps suppress thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes while also producing magnificent sunsets.

The time in hurricane season when tropical activity historically starts to pick up is quickly approaching. Sept. 10 is usually the peak of the season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting the 2021 season to be above average with 13-20 named storms.

So far this year, there have been four tropical storms — Ana, Bill, Claudette and Danny — and one hurricane, Elsa.