WHAT TO DO WHEN HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR TOWNOn the forecast track, Potential Tropical Cyclone One is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Alex before landfall on Saturday in Southwest Florida.The potential tropical cyclone is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Alex within the next 24 hours. (Credit: FOX Weather) Once the system's sustained winds reach 40 mph or higher and gains a true center of circulation, it will become a tropical storm and receive the name "Alex," the first name on this year's list of storm names for the Atlantic Basin.WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE?Scattered downpours should arrive in portions of South Florida Thursday night, increase in intensity on Friday as winds gust to or near tropical-storm force (40-plus mph), and continue falling into Saturday.Satellite imagery of Atlantic coast and Florida. (Credit: NOAA) By late Saturday, winds might still be gusty, but dry air on the back side of the system should arrive and cause the rain to gradually diminish.The weather should significantly improve Saturday night and into Sunday as the system moves offshore into the southwestern Atlantic.WHAT IS A POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONEThe NHC says several inches of rain are expected across South Florida, including the Miami metro area.
It's not out of the question that some locations could receive close to a foot of rainfall.It's still uncertain how far north the heavy-rain swath will extend.