Forecasters watching tropical wave that has a medium chance to develop

Orlando, FL - It was another hot and humid day across Central Florida. High temperatures reached into the 80s along the beaches and even higher inland. 

All of this moisture is tropically based, originating south of Cuba and funneling north into the Florida Peninsula. This will create a heavy rainfall hazard each afternoon through the July 4th holiday weekend. 

Make sure to download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather App for updates.

Forecast modeling continues to suggest rain development West of I-95 over the coming afternoons. Once we get into the weekend, a pattern shift will be underway again. 

TRACK THE TROPICS: Visit the FOX 35 Storm Team Hurricane Center for the latest tropical weather outlook and more

This will change where the rain develops and where it ends each day. Forecast modeling is currently suggesting development over the Southwest side of the State, exiting across the Atlantic beaches. Something to consider if you have beach plans for the holiday weekend. 

We're now tracking two areas of tropical concern over the Tropical Atlantic. 

A broad area of low pressure, associated with a tropical wave, is located about midway between the west coast of Africa and the The Windward Islands.  This system is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms that are starting to show some signs of organization.  Environmental conditions appear generally favorable for development, and a tropical depression could form during the next few days while the system moves west-northwestward at about 20 mph.  Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say there is a 60% percent chance of formation over the next five days.

Closer to Central Florida, disorganized showers and thunderstorms continue in association with a tropical wave located a few hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles.  Development, if any, of this system should be slow to occur as the tropical wave moves quickly westward to west-northwestward at 20 to 25 mph, passing through the Lesser Antilles on Wednesday and then across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea later this week.  Regardless of development, this system could bring locally heavy rainfall to portions of the Lesser Antilles during the next couple of days.  Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say there is a 20% percent chance of formation over the next five days.

If another system develops further, it would be named Elsa, the fifth named storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

Watch FOX 35 News for the latest updates on the tropics.