Rare December storm brings a Big Wave Weekend!

Rare December storm brings a Big Wave Weekend!

A somewhat rare December subtropical storm may develop in the Atlantic in the next few days.  This would be the first subtropical storm in a December since 2013 and would be only the 11th named storm in a December since 1950.  If this storm does develop it will be dubbed Owen and likely spin harmlessly into the Atlantic.  

That isn’t to say we will not be feeling the effects here in Florida in the form of a rare December storm swell that will begin to hit the shores of Florida this Friday. With relatively clean long period overhead conditions forecast, be ready to hit the waves running!  Current reports are showing locations like Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral will be stand outs but most locations capable of handling a decent storm swell will be firing all weekend long!

While the Surf community is stoked on the potential swell, many beach front home and property owners that have lost the protection of dunes and break walls during this fall’s storms are watching the forecast of high waves and potential erosion with concern.  

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A large non-tropical area of low pressure located over the central subtropical Atlantic about 900 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands continues to produce a large area of showers and thunderstorms. This activity has become somewhat better organized this morning, though frontal features remain attached to the low.  Environmental conditions appear marginally conducive for envelopment and a subtropical or tropical storm could form within the next day or so.  By Friday, the low will move northeastward over cooler waters and interact with a mid-latitude trough, limiting the chance for additional subtropical or tropical development of the system.  Additional information on this low, including warnings, can be found in High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service.  The next Special Tropical Weather Outlook on this system will be issued by 9 PM EST Wednesday, or earlier, if necessary.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...50 percent.
  Rare December storm brings a Big Wave Weekend!
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