Tropical depression no threat to Florida, but rain still in forecast

TAMPA (FOX 13) - As expected, Tropical Depression 6 has formed in the Atlantic. But even though it will should become the season’s next tropical storm, it’s got nothing to do with the soaking Florida will probably get next week.

As of Friday evening, Tropical Depression 6 was still just south of the Cabo Verde Islands off the coast of Africa, strengthening as it moved west.

“The depression is becoming better organized, and it will most likely reach tropical storm status in the next several hours,” the National Hurricane Center advisory stated.

Though it may soon become Tropical Storm Florence, it may not make it to hurricane strength.  The system is expected to encounter more wind shear as it moves further into the Atlantic, and it should remain a tropical storm for at least the next few days.

Forecasters expect the system will remain out at sea and will not threaten Florida.

LINK: Track the tropics on MyFoxHurricane.com

Meanwhile, a disorganized mass of clouds and showers in the Caribbean continues to move towards northwest.  Strong upper-level winds will keep it from organizing into a tropical system before it arrives  in Florida, but it may strengthen once it passes over the state and into the Gulf of Mexico.

Regardless, forecasters expect the system to enhance our rain chances for the Labor Day weekend and into early next week.

LINK: FOX 13 weathercast video