Here's What to Expect from the Tropical Disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico Right Now
The current tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico as of June 3, 2022.
Image: NOAA
A tropical disturbance in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico may become Tropical Storm Alex—the season's first named storm in what is expected to be a very active hurricane season. On April 15, Sarasota's Climate Adaptation Center (CAC) forecast 22 named storms this season, the sixth straight year with an above-normal number of named storms. Of those 22 storms, the CAC predicts from nine to 11 will become hurricanes, and five of them will become major hurricanes.
A rainfall forecast for the current tropical cyclone, which is expected to dump 8 to 10 inches of rain on Southwest Florida.
Image: Courtesy Photo
The disturbance is expected to come onshore between Naples and Fort Myers tomorrow morning before noon, then scoot across southern Florida. While winds may briefly gust to tropical storm force, with showers of rain near Sarasota, the largest impacts will be further south, where gusty winds and heavy rains of up to 8 to 10 inches will make for a nasty night tonight and Saturday before conditions improve late in the day.
It’s just barely hurricane season and we need to be prepared for far worse as the season progresses. The CAC website—plus frequent updates here on Sarasota Magazine—will keep you up-to-date on how these storms may impact our area, and what you should do to be ready.
Bob Bunting is a scientist, entrepreneur and educator and the CEO of the nation’s first Climate Adaptation Center (CAC), headquartered in Sarasota. The Climate Adaptation Center is an expert resource to inform government, academe and the private sector so they can create the necessary adaptation strategies and actions to protect the Florida way of life and foster the climate economy as well as larger global solutions evolve to solve the climate problem. For more information, visit theclimateadaptationcenter.org.
