Tropical Storm Threat Looms over East Central Florida Coast

A dangerous maritime situation is developing as Tropical Depression Nine strengthens over the Bahamas, positioning itself to deliver significant impacts to Florida's coastal waters. The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for all east central Florida marine areas, signaling potentially hazardous conditions from Sunday through at least Friday.

Small craft operators are strongly advised to secure vessels and remain in port, as wind and wave conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly. The Gulf Stream will be particularly treacherous, with east to northeast winds increasing to 20-25 knots south of Cape Canaveral by late afternoon and seas building to six feet.

Marine zones from Flagler Beach to Jupiter Inlet will experience progressively worsening conditions. Today's initial forecasts indicate northeast winds increasing to 15-20 knots and seas building from 2-3 feet to 4-6 feet. By Monday, tropical storm conditions are anticipated with winds potentially reaching 25-30 knots and seas escalating to 10-12 feet, occasionally rising to 15 feet.

The offshore waters 20-60 nautical miles out will see even more extreme conditions, with Monday potentially bringing winds up to 30-35 knots and seas reaching 13-17 feet, occasionally spiking to 22 feet. Thunderstorms are likely to accompany these challenging maritime conditions.

Boaters and coastal residents should closely monitor updates and prepare for an extended period of hazardous weather. The tropical system is expected to create dangerous marine conditions through at least Thursday, with gradually decreasing intensity.

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