Weather
Storm System Could Develop This Week Off FL's Gulf Coast
If the system develops into a tropical cyclone, it could become Tropical Storm Dexter.
A system expected to form off Florida's Gulf coast this week could potentially turn into the season’s next tropical depression or storm, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday.
In its 2 p.m. tropical outlook, NHC forecasters said a broad area of low pressure could form over the next several days off the southeastern U.S. coast.
Environmental conditions could become marginally conducive for the gradual development of
this system by mid to late next week as (it) moves generally westward across the Florida Peninsula and over the eastern and north-central portion of the Gulf," forecasters said.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The NHC said there's a 20 percent chance the storm could develop into a tropical cyclone. If it forms into a named storm, it could become Tropical Storm Dexter.
2pm EDT July 12th - An area of low pressure could develop off the SE U.S. coast & now has a low chance (20%🟡) of TC formation as it moves generally westward across the Florida Peninsula into the north-central portion of the Gulf. Latest Outlook: https://t.co/CRP4ogQxRF pic.twitter.com/d0caKOhmAm
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 12, 2025
Regardless of development, forecasters said heavy rainfall is possible over portions of the Florida Peninsula and the southeast coast through mid- to late next week.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Before the start of the 2025 hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationpredicted an above-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Of those, six are expected to strengthen into hurricanes, and three to five of them are expected to become major hurricanes of a Category 3 or above.
This week, researchers at Colorado State University revised their annual hurricane forecast, saying they expect a decrease in activity this year and are now calling for a slightly above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
"The primary reason for the slight decrease in the outlook is both observed and predicted high levels of Caribbean shear," CSU researchers said. "High levels of Caribbean shear in June/July are typically associated with less active hurricane seasons."
The 2025 hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
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