9:00 AM

The tropical Atlantic pulled a magic act on me this morning, while my attention was drawn to the central Atlantic a new tropical depression formed overnight just off the Florida coast.

A low level low pressure system developed this morning and sustained winds have reached 35 mph.  Tropical Depression Four will eventually reach tropical storm status this afternoon and become Tropical Storm Claudette.  The tropical system will continue to move to the northeast and make landfall over the Florida Panhandle by late tonight.  Heavy rain and wind gusts up to 50 mph can be expected tonight over the Florida Panhandle into central Alabama.

The remnant moisture from this system is expected linger over the Southeast, producing showers and thunderstorms capable of very heavy downpours.  The moisture will eventually become entrained along an approaching cold front by mid week and will likely enhance the potential for showers and thunderstorms along the cold from from the Southeast into the Ohio Valley.