TAMPA, FL – July 15, 2025 – As rain drenches Florida, the Tampa Bay area is watching a tropical disturbance, Invest 93L, move westward. It’s expected to enter the northeastern Gulf of America by Wednesday. While its strength is uncertain, this system is a clear sign: hurricane season is here, and the Gulf coast needs to be ready.
Tropical Trouble? This is the GRAF model's prediction of AL-93…Again, at this time, it's not expected to be a hurricane, but a TD or TS will be possible. Next name is Dexter. Stay tuned for more updates. https://t.co/At5R7ie6se pic.twitter.com/XsgK3fIeGg
— Jared Silverman (@JaredWAFB) July 15, 2025
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says there’s a medium chance Invest 93L will become a tropical depression within the next 48 hours and over the next seven days.¹ If it strengthens into a named storm, it would be “Dexter.”¹
It’s important to remember this isn’t the first major tropical activity this season. The Atlantic saw its first named storm, Tropical Storm Andrea, on June 24th, but it stayed out at sea. The Atlantic has not yet had a hurricane.²
However, the Eastern Pacific hurricane season has been quite active, bringing storms to Mexico. Hurricane Erick, a powerful Category 3, hit southern Mexico on June 19th, causing significant damage and fatalities.³ Hurricane Flossie also became a hurricane off Mexico’s coast around July 1st, bringing heavy rains.⁴
These Pacific hurricanes show how powerful these storms can be. Even if Invest 93L doesn’t become a hurricane, its impact on the Gulf Coast and the low-lying Tampa Bay area could be serious. This system carries a lot of moisture, capable of delivering intense rainfall. Flash flooding is a concern across Florida and will extend to the north-central Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay, as the system moves into the Gulf. Forecasters warn of significant rainfall totals.
Invest 93L is still developing, but its potential for heavy rain and flooding is clear. Now is not the time to be complacent. Tampa Bay residents, and the Gulf coast in general, have a chance to act now, protecting their families and properties for whatever this hurricane season may bring.
Sources
¹ National Hurricane Center. (2025, July 15). Tropical Weather Outlook. [Internal NHC Report].
² National Hurricane Center. (2025, June 24). Tropical Storm Andrea Advisory #1. [Archived NHC Advisory].
³ National Hurricane Center. (2025, June 19). Hurricane Erick Advisory #15. [Archived NHC Advisory].
⁴ National Hurricane Center. (2025, July 1). Hurricane Flossie Advisory #7. [Archived NHC Advisory].
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