The NBC2 First Alert Hurricane Tracking Team is monitoring the movements of Potential Tropical Cyclone 18 in the southern Caribbean Sea.
As of 4 a.m. Monday, Potential Tropical Cyclone 18 (or PTC18 for short) is producing maximum winds of 35 mph while moving toward the north at 7 mph.
The term "potential tropical cyclone" refers to a system that isn't yet organized enough to be considered a tropical depression or tropical storm but is forecast to impact land as at least a tropical storm within the next two days.
Like tropical depressions and tropical storms though, the National Hurricane Center issues forecast cones and regular advisories every few hours.
The image above shows the most recently revised cone from the NHC. As of now, the system is forecast to become Tropical Storm Rafael on Monday, and a Category 1 hurricane as early as Tuesday night as it approaches western Cuba.
From there, what would be Hurricane Rafael is forecast to enter the Gulf of Mexico and make its closest approach to Florida.
Timing on the storm's movement nearest Florida appears at this time to be from late Wednesday and into early Thursday.
What's important to note though is that unlike recent hurricanes, what will become Hurricane Rafael is not expected to move directly toward the peninsula.
This trend has been consistently reflected in the forecast model data. As seen below, the overwhelming majority of the data shows the system moving into the Gulf toward the northwest on Wednesday and Thursday.
The environment this eventual hurricane will find in the Gulf of Mexico will be very different than what Hurricanes Helene and Milton experienced.
Water temperatures, though warm, are significantly cooler than in September and October. This is important because warm water is what fuels tropical systems. This is a contributing factor as to why the hurricane is forecast to weaken as it moves across the Gulf later this week.
Wind shear is also likely to be much more of an impactful player with Rafael than it was with Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Wind shear refers to the change in wind speed and direction with height. When it is substantial, it can work against tropical systems by making it difficult for them to remain vertically organized.
For now, local impacts to Southwest Florida will likely include windier weather (but below sustained tropical storm and hurricane-force wind) on Wednesday and Thursday. We'll also likely see a push of tropical moisture toward the region increasing our community's rain coverage on Wednesday and Thursday as well.
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