ORLANDO, Fla. _ Chances of the disturbance in the Bahamas becoming a tropical depression over the next five days increased to 30% Thursday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center.
A 10% chance of tropical development is possible during the next 48 hours while the system moves northwestward toward Florida's east coast at 5 to 10 mph.
If the system goes from tropical disturbance and grows into a tropical storm it will be the fourth named storm of the 2019 hurricane season; receiving the name of "Dorian."
Projections show the storm traveling up the East Coast where conditions are more ideal for it to mature into a stronger storm; warmer waters and low wind shear in the upper atmosphere, said WOFL meteorologist Jayme King.
"There is an upper level pressure that has given this thing a hair cut in the Caribbean. That's working for us. It won't be out of that situation until it moves toward Florida in the next 48 hours," King said.
While conditions improve as the storm makes its way up north King doesn't see it being anything more than a "rainmaker."
"There's about a 60% chance of rain for the weekend. Don't rule out rain at any time after 12 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday; it could just spring up," he said. "That being said, I am advising our viewers that vigilance is key. Adhere to your favorite media for the latest in the tropics ... As we've seen in the past, it doesn't take long for these storms to quickly become powerful."
Chantal, the tropical storm that developed in the northern Atlantic, lost power due to winds in the upper atmosphere and has regressed into a tropical depression, where it is expect to continue meandering and fizzle out, according to the NHC.
