OCALA, FL (352today.com) – While it’s unlikely to see a hurricane come through Florida in November, the season’s final month, it is possible.
Since hurricanes were tracked in 1861, the National Hurricane Center reports that there have been 14 that have happened in November with three having made landfall. This month is generally outside the peak of hurricane season (which runs from June through November), and November storms are often weaker due to cooler ocean temperatures and stronger wind shear.
Notable November Storms:
- Hurricane Kate (1985): Kate struck the Florida Panhandle as a Category 2 hurricane, causing significant damage in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas.
- The 1935 Yankee Hurricane: This storm was unique for its unusual path, moving from east to west, and making landfall near Miami as a Category 2 hurricane.
- Hurricane Nicole (2022): The storm impacted eastern Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, making it a notable late-season storm in the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. Nicole was the fourteenth named storm and eighth hurricane of that season.
While hurricane season officially ends on November 30, these late-season storms show that Florida can still face hurricane threats in November, though they remain infrequent.
The NHC is monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone 18, a low-pressure system in the South-Central Caribbean Sea. They say the system is likely to strengthen into Tropical Storm Rafael within the next 48 hours as it heads toward Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Cuba.
By Wednesday, it is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico, potentially reaching hurricane strength, although its exact path remains uncertain. The NHC says that the Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft are currently investigating the system, which has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1004 mb.
Active alerts include a Hurricane Watch for the Cayman Islands and a Tropical Storm Warning for Jamaica.
Ocala Forecast
Here’s your day-by-day outlook from the National Weather Service.
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph.
Tonight: A 20% chance of showers before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers between noon and 1 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Wednesday: A chance of showers before 10 a.m, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a high near 86. East wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 73.
Thursday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 20% chance of showers after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Get your 352 weather info here anytime you need it or download our free app. Be sure to enable the weather alert to receive notifications to your cellphone.