HOLT, Fla., Nov. 7, 2022—The area of disturbed weather the National Hurricane Center has been watching the last couple of days organized into Subtropical Storm Nicole this morning.

A subtropical system, like a tropical system, develops over warm waters, but has cooler upper-level temperatures in its core.

Some general strengthening is anticipated during the next few days and Nicole could transition to a tropical system, according to the NHC.

Nicole could be at or near hurricane strength by Wednesday or Wednesday night while moving over the warm waters near the Bahamas.

The storm is forecast to travel in a north-northwestern direction before turning west-southwest toward Florida’s east coast Tuesday. By Thursday or Friday, environmental conditions are forecast to push Nicole back to the northeast.

As a subtropical system, Nicole is forecast to be a large storm with widespread impacts from a prolonged period of coastal flooding, tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rainfall, rough surf and rip currents over a large portion of Florida and the southeastern U.S. coast, according to the NHC.

Tropical storm watches are likely along Florida’s east coast later today.

Further out in the central Atlantic, Invest 97 still has a chance to become a short-lived Tropical Storm Owen tomorrow before merging with a cold front by Wednesday, according to the NHC.

Staff and NHC forecast