All Eyes on Caribbean’s Invest 97-L as Potential Storm Rafael Approaches; South Florida Prepares for Possible Midweek Impacts

Meteorologists are closely monitoring a developing weather system in the Southwest Caribbean, known as Invest 97-L, with an 80% chance it could soon become a tropical depression. Should it continue to intensify, the storm will be named Rafael, following “Patty,” a subtropical storm near the Azores earlier in the season.

Both major forecasting models, the European (EURO) and Global Forecast System (GFS), indicate potential development, though they differ slightly in their predictions for South Florida’s impacts. The EURO model, while acknowledging the storm’s formation, suggests that most of the wind and rain would remain west of Florida, potentially affecting the Keys with some rain and breezy conditions but sparing Miami and Fort Lauderdale from more significant impacts. In this scenario, the Miami-Dade and Broward regions might only experience enhanced rainfall midweek.

The GFS model, however, takes a more intense approach, showing stronger storm development over Jamaica and Cuba in the coming days. Should this model’s forecast hold, South Florida could face more direct impacts from Rafael, including higher rain chances across the region and possible wind threats extending from The Keys up through Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

With both models still assessing the storm’s path and intensity, South Floridians, especially in the Keys, are advised to stay updated on Rafael’s progression as it nears midweek.