Even so, the threat of a strong tropical storm this time of year is a rare and gloomy event for Florida residents as the peak of hurricane season runs from early August through mid-September. The season ends Nov. 30.

With 17 days left in the Atlantic Hurricane Season the 18 named storm of the season has formed in the Caribbean. With the noon update Thursday from the National

Though the impacts are unknown at this time, residents near the Gulf of Mexico are encouraged to monitor Tropical Depression 19.

Reasonable tracks for the end of the week range from west toward Mexico or Texas to north toward the Florida Panhandle.

The National Hurricane Center has an area they are keeping a close eye on in the Caribbean just south of Jamaica that has an 80 percent chance of becoming a tropical system in the next 7 days. Models show a tropical system that could become a tropical storm or hurricane and move into the Gulf of Mexico by next week.

A possible disturbance expected to form in the Caribbean Sea could target Florida by the middle of next week. Republicans win control of the US House of Representatives How ‘Super/Man' Team Relied on Glenn Close,