Days of flooding rains from a tropical disturbance made for a soggy holiday weekend across Florida. It drenched beachgoers and left some streets underwater.
Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center was giving the system a 20% chance of turning into a tropical depression. However, the NHC also said that little if any further development of this system is expected.
This is the same system that soaked the most-watched golf telecast in the history of cable television Sunday. It’s also the same system that could threaten SpaceX’s historic launch Wednesday.
The rain will continue today and tomorrow as the system moves into the Atlantic.
“The area saw widespread 5 to 10 inches rainfall over the last week, so any additional rain could bring flooding,” CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said.
Over 7 million people are under flood watches along the east coast of Florida. Watches are in place for cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and north to the Space Coast.
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The National Hurricane Center says heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding over portions of coastal sections of northeastern Florida, Georgia and parts of the Carolinas Tuesday and Wednesday. The disturbance is forecast to move northward through the day, which will improve conditions in Florida.
The official weather forecast has improved, and there is now a 60% chance of favorable weather conditions for the Space X Demo-2 launch, according to the 45th Air Force Weather Space Wing.
Rain along the flight path and developing afternoon thunderstorms in the vicinity are the concerns for the launch.
“If the launch is delayed, there are backup opportunities on Saturday and Sunday afternoon,” Hennen said.