Noel Noel

This just slid across the inbox. Sounds like South Florida may be vulnerable from this tropical storm/turning hurricane.

State College, Pa. -- October 30, 2007 - AccuWeather.com reports that Tropical Storm Noel will parallel northern Cuba today before making a run towards South Florida. Additional strengthening is possible in the next 24 hours, potentially causing Noel to reach hurricane status.

After grazing the northern Cuban coast, Noel is expected to turn more northwestward towards the northwestern Bahamas. Wednesday night, Noel should pass virtually over Freeport on Grand Bahama Island.

A tropical storm watch may be issued for southeastern Florida later today as Noel is forecast to come within 80 miles of the shoreline. The coast will be spared of a direct hit thanks to an upper-level trough of low pressure sweeping in from the west. The trough will keep Noel east of the entire Eastern Seaboard.

While Noel will not make landfall, Florida will still be adversely affected by the storm. The tight pressure gradient between Noel and a strong area of high pressure to the north will cause winds to howl over the state, as well as the other beaches along the Southeast coast. The strongest winds, potentially reaching tropical-storm-force Wednesday, will blast South Florida.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for northeastern Cuba, and the central and southeastern Bahamas. A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch have been issued for the northwestern Bahamas.