Storm surge is also a concern as water levels will increase by as much as 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels mainly north of where it makes landfall. Destructive large-wave action is also expected along the beaches, extending southward to the Bay of Campeche.
Veracruz is already feeling tropical storm-force winds, and the winds will continue to increase tonight as it gets close to land
Water temperatures in the western Gulf of Mexico are in the mid- to upper 80s, serving as fuel to a storm.
Franklin does not represent a threat to Florida or the U.S. Gulf states.
>>Watching the next tropical wave
As we go upslope in the season, the tropics are showing more signs of activity. The wind shear seems to be generally relaxing a bit more. Lack of wind shear allows for tropical systems to become better organized by not disturbing their structure in the upper-levels flow, allowing a natural growing flow.
Water temperatures are warm enough serving as fuel to feed the systems -- in at least the
mid-80s across much of the Atlantic and Caribbean basins.
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The rest of the tropics: The tropical wave
A tropical wave over 2,000 miles away from Florida continues to crawl westward. This disturbance is fighting dry air and it is not likely to develop further in the short term over the Central Atlantic Ocean. We will monitor the evolution of this next tropical wave and bring you prompt updates on
WFTV.com, Eyewitness News and across all of our social media platforms.
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Tom Terry
Brian Shields
George Waldenberger
Eboni Deon
Rusty McCraine
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