Tropical storm warning issued for the Suncoast

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A tropical storm warning has been issued for Sarasota and parts of Manatee counties.

A warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

As of 11 a.m. today, hurricane hunter aircraft and meteorologists were unable to find a center of circulation in the massive amount of rain the wind that is to the east and north of the Yucatan Peninsula. The forecast track remains essentially the same with a minor northward shift.

Other aircraft will investigate today but, until a center is found, the system cannot be classified as a tropical depression or tropical storm.

However, tropical storm winds located in thunderstorms removed from the suspected location of the circulation center have been located in flights today. Computer models remain in surprisingly good agreement on the evolution and track of the system so, with respect to the models, the forecast cone has been shifted south of Sarasota and Manatee counties and the timing speed up a bit with the storm landing around Fort Myers early Saturday morning.

For the Suncoast it means periods of heavy rains starting this afternoon and going into Saturday morning and possibly afternoon as well. Total rain amounts are estimated at 1 to 3 inches but there is a potential for as much as 6 or even more.

If the center is found to be in a farther north location and the track adjusted northward, we could see stronger wind gusts. Regardless, the seas will be angry and boaters should stay off the water.

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