NEWS: Subtropical Storm Nicole Expected To Hit Florida Later This Week

Although we’re nearing the end of hurricane season in the Atlantic (the season officially ends on November 30th), we’re not quite out of the woods yet.

Storm clouds in Hollywood Studios

We’ve been keeping an eye on a tropical depression that has now officially become the 14th named storm of the 2022 hurricane season. Subtropical Storm Nicole has formed, and its current path takes it along the east coast of Florida with the potential to develop into a hurricane before it arrives.

According to the National Hurricane Center, “Nicole is forecast to be a large storm, and regardless of its exact path, widespread impacts from a prolonged period of coastal flooding, tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rainfall, rough surf and rip currents, and beach erosion are likely along much of the southeastern US coast, the Florida east coast and portions of the northwestern and central Bahamas during much of the upcoming week.”

©WFTV

The Center also predicts that Nicole could be “at or near hurricane strength” when it arrives along the coast of Florida. The storm is expected to hit Florida on Wednesday and Thursday.

©NOAA

Nicole formed early Monday morning in the Atlantic and currently has winds up to 40 miles per hour. The forecast predicts “it will transition to a tropical system with a more defined eye with higher wind speeds around the eye at the center of its circulation by two to three days” (Orlando Sentinel).

Rain in Disney World

With warmer waters around the Bahamas, it’s possible that Nicole will reach hurricane strength. Experts are predicting that it will arrive close to Florida’s coast by 2AM on Thursday with 70 mph winds and gusts up to 85 mph. It could make landfall “somewhere between West Palm Beach and Brevard County,” and then travel northwest across the state. It may arrive close to Orlando by mid-Thursday.

©NOAA

The forecast predicts that “squalls ahead of and during the storm’s passage could produce wind gusts in excess of 50-60 mph across coastal communities, with up to around 35-50 mph well inland. Storm total rainfall accumulations are expected to reach 4-6 inches along the coast and even reaching the St Johns River in Brevard County, 3-4 inches for much of the rest of the area, and 2-3 inches for northern Lake County and areas west of Florida’s Turnpike, with locally higher amounts possible.”

©NOAA

However, the storm has not yet become a tropical system, so “its path and intensity are less predictable” according to the NHC. Governor Ron DeSantis has said that emergency officials are in contact with the counties now to plan for the potential storm.

UPDATE: According to Wesh 2, “Tropical storm watches have been posted for portions of Central Florida. A hurricane watch was issued for Brevard County.”

A Hurricane Watch is in effect until Nov 10 10:16AM for the following shaded counties: Brevard. #flwx #news6 pic.twitter.com/lnp6RC4nsF

— News 6 WKMG (@news6wkmg) November 7, 2022

Here’s a look at all the watches currently in effect:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Northwestern Bahamas, the East Coast of Florida from the Volusia/Brevard County line to Hallandale Beach, and Lake Okeechobee. A Storm Surge watch is in effect for Altamaha Sound to Hallandale Beach. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Altamaha Sound southward to Volusia Brevard County line and Hallandale Beach to north of Ocean Reef.

Rain in Animal Kingdom

Disney World theme parks shut down for Hurricane Ian earlier this year, and we could see the same happen if Subtropical Storm Nicole poses a significant threat to guest and employee safety. To learn more about what happens in Disney World during a hurricane, check out these links:

Stay tuned to AllEars for more updates on all the latest news that could impact your upcoming Disney World trip!