KEY WEST, Fla. — Tropical Storm Philippe has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and tropical storm force winds to South Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is currently about 120 miles southwest of Key West and moving to the northeast at 29 mph.
Central Florida -- particularly Brevard and Osceola counties -- could see heavy rain from this storm as early as Saturday night, said WFTV meteorologist George Waldenberger.
"A flood watch is in effect just south of our area, for Okechobee and Indian River counties, but we’ll be watching in case some of this heavy rain can push in from the south and fall over southern Brevard and southern Osceola counties," said Waldenberger
The National Hurricane Center measured maximum sustained winds at 45 mph with gusts even higher.
Read: Tropical disturbance to bring heavy rainfall; cold front sweeps over Florida
A tropical storm watch has been issued for the upper Florida Keys and southeast Florida, including coastal Miami-Dade.
Pronóstico en español por nuestra meteoróloga Irene Sans