NHC introduces new warning cone: What you should know
The National Hurricane Center introduced a new, experimental warning cone in August. Here’s what’s changed.
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical waves but does not expect any tropical cyclone activity over the next seven days, the National Hurricane Center reported in its Sunday update.
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However, AccuWeather meteorologists said thunderstorms with heavy rain could bring flash flooding and strong wind gusts across much of Florida, with even waterspouts possible along the coast.
While calm is expected in the tropics for the rest of August, meteorologists expect the hurricane season to “dramatically intensify” by September.
“I think it could potentially get very active here very quickly once the dry air goes away,” said Alex DaSilva, chief hurricane forecaster at AccuWeather. “We could see a parade of storms.” This dramatic increase in activity will begin in late August and continue throughout September.
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After Ernesto, Francine will be the next named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
Tax-free holiday for Florida hurricane relief begins
Florida’s second disaster preparedness sales tax-free day this year began Saturday and runs through Friday, Sept. 6. The first exemption period ran from June 1-14.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue, consumers can purchase qualified disaster preparedness supplies sales tax-free during the 2024 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Free Period.
Items eligible for the tax-free holiday include:
- A portable generator used to provide light, communications, or food preservation during a power outage and with a selling price of $3,000 or less.
- A tarp or other flexible, waterproof sheet with a retail price of $100 or less.
- An item normally sold as, or commonly advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit, with a retail price of $100 or less.
- A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a retail price of $70 or less.
- A fire extinguisher with a retail price of $70 or less.
- A carbon monoxide detector with a retail price of $70 or less.
- A non-electric food storage cooler with a retail price of $60 or less.
- A portable power bank with a retail price of $60 or less.
- A tank of gasoline or diesel with a retail price of $50 or less.
- A self-powered portable radio, two-way radio, or weather radio with a retail price of $50 or less.
- A package of AA, AAA, C, D cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and marine batteries, with a retail price of $50 or less.
- A portable, self-powered light source (battery, solar, hand crank, or gas powered) with a retail price of $40 or less, including: flashlights, lanterns, and candles.
- Eligible light sources and radios are affected by the tax exemption, even if power cables are included in the purchase price.
- Reusable ice (ice packs) with a retail price of $20 or less.
Hurricane models of chaos: Which is the best? Spoiler alert: It’s none of the above
Observing the tropics: What is there and how likely is an intensification?
- First wave: A tropical wave from the Atlantic Ocean is located off the coast of Africa at approximately 44W, south of 20N, and is moving westward at approximately 17.7 km/h.
- Second wave: A tropical wave in the Caribbean is located at 89 W, coming from the south to 22 N and moving westward at 17 km/h. Isolated moderate and isolated strong convection is observed over the northwestern Caribbean.
National Hurricane Center map: What are meteorologists paying attention to now?
The National Hurricane Center is not currently expecting or monitoring tropical cyclone activity.
Weather observations and warnings issued in Florida
Heavy rainfall forecast
When is hurricane season in Florida?
The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30 each year, with the most active period being between August and October.
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is September 10, with peak activity occurring between mid-August and mid-October, according to the National Hurricane Center.
What happens next?
We’ll continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local website’s app to make sure you’re always up to date with the news. And look out for our special subscription offers here.
Contributor: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network-Florida
