14-07-2025
As Tallahassee endures heat wave, Hurricane Center monitors Invest 93L Florida rainmaker
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a broad area of low pressure off Florida's east coast that could strengthen into a tropical system as it moves west across the northern Gulf.
The disturbance, which was classified as Invest 93L on Monday afternoon, has a 30% chance of development over the next seven days and a 20% shot at development in just two days, according to the Hurricane Center in Miami. It's expected to enter the northeast Gulf by July 15.
Regardless of development, heavy rain could produce localized flash flooding across portions of Florida and the north-central Gulf coast through the middle to later portions of this week.
'Environmental conditions appear favorable and some gradual development of the system is possible while it moves westward to west-northwestward across the northeastern and north central portions of the Gulf during the middle to latter part of the week,' the Hurricane Center said.
Meanwhile, a heat advisory was issued July 14 for portions of the Big Bend and Florida Panhandle, including Leon County. High temperatures are expected to hit the mid to upper 90s July 14 and 15, with the heat index topping out around 106.
Earlier, forecasters believed temps that feel like 100 degrees or above could continue through Saturday. But the tropical uncertainty and rain could dampen those highs.
Leon County announced that the LeRoy Collins Main Public Library downtown will serve as a relief center from the heat 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 14.
"As a relief center, the downtown Main Library offers air conditioning, seating, water and restroom access, as well as the usual library activities and materials," the county said in a news release.
The low pressure system will tamp down temperatures and increase rain chances by July 16, according to the National Weather Service. Highs will drop to the upper 80s to low 90s while rain chances will increase to 90%.
Regardless of development, the low pressure system could bring heavy rain and localized flash flooding over parts of Florida and the north central Gulf.
Wright Dobbs, meteorologist with NWS Tallahassee, said the system is expected to hug the coastline as it moves anywhere from the northeastern to the central or western Gulf, perhaps near Louisiana.
'Development, if it occurs, at least for now, looks gradual,' Dobbs said. 'And the system is moving west so it might run out of real estate.'
Dobbs said the system is expected to bring hotter conditions as it approaches the Tallahassee area and the possibility of heavy rain once it passes from its eastern side.
"It's just a reminder that we are in the middle of tropical season," Dobbs said. "It's always a good idea to have your hurricane preparedness kits ready."
Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@ or 850-599-2180.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Hurricane Center eyes Invest 93L; it may impact Tallahassee, Florida
