Tropical depression Seven is heading to Puerto Rico. Thunderstorms over the western half of the US bring a flooding threat to 6 states–and the midwest could be next. Today’s weather alerts and forecast.
NWS forecast and weather alerts for Wednesday
Thunderstorms over much of the western half of the US on Wednesday, as well as along the Texas Gulf Coast, most of Florida, and along the Georgia and South Carolina coasts. Farther north, rain over parts of the Northeast and thunderstorms over northern Maine, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast.
Flooding risk in the West
Heavy rain with the potential of flash flooding in the West over parts of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho, as well as Washington (see weather alerts below).
Strong storms in central US
In the central US, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a marginal, Level 1 risk of strong storms capable of severe weather over eastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas into the Oklahoma Panhandle, southeastern Colorado, and southwestern Kansas. Farther north, a level 1 risk for north-central Nebraska into south-central and northeastern South Dakota. The main risk associated with these storms will be damaging wind gusts.
NWS weather alerts
The NWS has issued the following weather alerts for Monday.
Flood watch: north-central and northeastern Washington; central, northeastern, and southeastern Nevada; southwestern, central, and northeastern Utah; northwestern Arizona.
Air-quality alert: Central and eastern Washington; northern and central Idaho; western and southern Montana; Wyoming; central, northeastern, and southeastern Texas.
Tropical depression Seven forms in Atlantic, heading toward Puerto Rico
Invest 96-L has developed into Tropical Depression Seven as it heads toward the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued an advisory on Wednesday as the storm had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, with gusts of 45 mph, moving west at 14 mph.
The forecast calls for the storm to strengthen as it moves toward the Leeward Islands, WFTV reported, and is likely to bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Puerto Rico this weekend.
The forecast cone has the system approaching the Lesser Antilles on Friday afternoon with an approach toward Puerto Rico on Saturday, NBC 2 reported.
The storm is expected to weaken below tropical strength on Monday. So far, forecasters do not believe the system is a threat to Florida but will closely monitor it as it moves westward.
