Track Shifts For Tropical Storm Sara: What That Means For FL

FLORIDA — Tropical Storm Sara, which dumped more than 20 inches of rain on parts of Honduras overnight Thursday, is expected to turn north toward Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula late this weekend and weaken significantly as it enters the Gulf, according to experts.

After moving across Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula, the system is forecast to enter the Gulf as a tropical depression, the agency’s track for the system shows.

The National Hurricane Center told Newsweek Friday, "You'll see that the forecast calls for Sara to lose strength as it moves toward Florida early next week: The NHC Forecast calls for dissipation beyond 72 hours, as in the previous forecast."

According to Denis Phillips, chief meteorologist for ABC Action News: “Whatever is left as it exits the Yucatan next week will merge with a cold front in the Gulf. This arrives here on Wednesday or Thursday with MUCH cooler air along with it. High shear and cooler waters in the Gulf should prevent it from redeveloping into a tropical storm.”

Much of the Tampa Bay area hasn’t seen rain in about five weeks, Phillips added. “If we don't start getting just a bit of rain soon, all the extensive growth from summer rains will increase fire dangers.”

Sara, once considered a threat to Florida’s west coast, is likely the last gasp of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ends Nov. 30.

The disturbance is the 18th named storm of a busy season, which saw three hurricanes pummel Florida.“When Sara dissipates over the Yucatán peninsula in a few days, it will pretty much mark the end of the 2024 hurricane season. See ya,” Fox 13 meteorologist Paul Dellegatto wrote in a Friday morning Facebook post.

Here's the current forecast for the Tampa area:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 82. North northeast wind around 9 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 58. North northeast wind around 7 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. East northeast wind around 6 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82. East northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East wind 3 to 6 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84. East southeast wind 3 to 8 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. East southeast wind 3 to 6 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.