Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Florida

By Joe Mario Pedersen.

The tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico is not yet a tropical storm, but its maximum sustained winds strengthened to 60 mph Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. update.

Dangerous storm surge and tropical storm force winds are expected along portions of the northern Gulf Coast later Friday and Friday night after “Potential Tropical Cyclone 16” became better organized overnight, the NHC said.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for parts of Florida on Friday morning as the tropical system with a 90 percent chance of development continues marching northeast toward the Panhandle.

PTC 16 has maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, but lacks the organization necessary to be classified as a tropical storm, the NHC said.

If it does find organized circulation the storm will take the name of “Nestor.”

It is expected to become a tropical or subtropical storm later Friday.

Moving toward the Panhandle at 22 mph, it is located about 230 miles south-southwest of the Mississippi River as of the 11 a.m. Friday update.

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