Tropical Weather Forecast - August 28, 2023

Idalia is close to becoming a hurricane today and is expected to strengthen to a major Category three hurricane by early Wednesday. Hurricane warnings are in place for parts of the Florida Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay. Idalia is projected to make landfall around the Big Bend of Florida Wednesday morning bringing up to a foot of rain, storm surge up to 7-11 feet NW of Tampa, damaging winds & the threat for tornadoes. Hurricane Franklin has grown into a dangerous category 4 hurricane in the western Atlantic. It should remain over water but will get close to Bermuda early Wednesday where Tropical Storm Watches are in effect. Another tropical wave coming off the coast of Africa has a medium chance to develop into a tropical system over the next week.