System over Florida has potential to develop into tropical depression,
weather service says
[July 16, 2025]
By MIKE SCHNEIDER
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A drenching weather system moving across Florida on
Tuesday wasn't even a tropical anything but has the potential to develop
into a tropical depression as it moves into the northeastern and
northern Gulf later in the week, according to National Weather Service
forecasters.
The system would be called Tropical Storm Dexter if it became a named
storm, but it was expected to be far less lethal than the namesake
vigilante serial killer of the Showtime crime drama, “Dexter” which was
set in Florida.
The National Weather Service said the area of low pressure off Florida's
east coast was becoming better defined and moving west across the
Florida Peninsula on Tuesday. The system was drenching the peninsula
with heavy rains, and the weather service warned of the potential for
flash flooding in parts of the state through the middle of the week.
“Environmental conditions appear generally favorable for additional
development, and a tropical depression could form by the middle to
latter part of this week as the system moves across the northeastern and
north-central Gulf,” the National Weather Service said.
How many storms have we had so far?
Just six weeks into the start of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season,
three tropical storms have developed — Andrea, Barry and Chantal. Dexter
would be the fourth if it develops that way.
Andrea dissipated in the Atlantic after forming at sea last month. Barry
dumped rain on eastern Mexico at the end of last month. Chantal made
landfall in South Carolina last week, and its remnants caused flooding
in North Carolina that killed an 83-year-old woman when her car was
swept off a rural road. Floodwaters also forced dozens of people to flee
their homes in North Carolina.
How many Atlantic storms are predicted this season?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in May forecast 13
to 19 named storms, with six to 10 becoming hurricanes and three to five
reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph). A
normal season has 14 named storms, seven of which strengthen to
hurricanes and three power up further to major hurricanes.
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A pedestrian walks along a street during a rain shower Tuesday, July
15, 2025, in Orlando, Fla., as tropical weather moves over the
state. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Colorado State University researchers last month estimated there
would be 17 named storms this year, with nine of them becoming
hurricanes. Of the predicted hurricanes, the researchers said four
could become major hurricanes.
‘Weather modification’ reports required in Florida
With hurricane season on Floridians' minds, state Attorney General
James Uthmeier this week sent a letter to the state's airports
telling them that they must report the presence of any aircraft used
for the purposes of “weather modification" starting in October to
comply with a new Florida law.
After flash floods killed scores of Texas residents over the Fourth
of July holiday weekend, social media users spread false claims that
the devastation was caused by weather modification. Many pointed to
one process in particular, blaming cloud seeding performed on July 2
by a California-based company for the tragedy. But officials say
there is no evidence that the floods are the result of cloud seeding
and experts agree that cloud seeding would not result in
precipitation of this magnitude.
Uthmeier said at a news conference on Tuesday that “this stuff
sounds pretty scary to me.”
“My letter was to put airports on notice that they do have
obligations and could face penalties, including some criminal
penalties, if they don’t comply,” Uthmeier said.
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