HOLT, Fla., Aug. 2, 2024—The National Hurricane Center has issued its first advisory for the tropical wave that is expected to become a tropical system sometime tomorrow.

Invest 97 is now Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 and could become Tropical Depression 4 after it clears the Cuban landmass.

According to the NHC, the environment over the Gulf of Mexico is favorable for steady strengthening with light wind shear and very warm sea-surface temperatures.

PTC4 is forecast to move over Cuba today, cross the Straits of Florida tomorrow and intensify into Tropical Storm Debby before moving near or over the west coast of Florida tomorrow night through Sunday night.

Forecasts indicate the system will cross the Florida peninsula and reenter the Atlantic Ocean and move near or offshore of Florida and the southeastern coast of the United States where it will likely re-intensify, according to the NHC.

Tropical storm conditions are expected Saturday night in southwest Florida and a tropical storm warning has been issued for areas from East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach.

As the forecast stands right now, northwest Florida should see minimum impact from the system.