(MIAMI, FLA) — Even though November marks the final month of the Atlantic hurricane season, this season refuses to end quietly. As of Monday morning, subtropical storm Nicole has formed 500 miles east of the Bahamas…and South Florida is in the cone. In fact at this time, impact from the storm could be around Port St. Lucie according to the National Hurricane Center. The cone, however, covers the Southeast coastline from Homestead to the Carolinas.

As of the 11:00 am advisory, Broward and Palm Beach Counties are now under a Hurricane Watch which means there is a likelihood of hurricane force winds and conditions reaching our shores by Thursday.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Northwestern Bahamas
* East Coast of Florida from the Volusia/Brevard County Line to
Hallandale Beach
* Lake Okeechobee

Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 34 Florida counties including Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River.

Expect abundant tropical moisture during the workweek and significant impacts along the coasts of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas for an extended period.
The combination of the onshore flow and high pressure to the system’s north will mean easterly to northeasterly gale force winds will drive a substantial amount of flooding, beach erosion and high surf starting Wednesday into Thursday. Currently, TS Nicole has sustained winds of 45 mph, but could strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane before landfall.

The subtropical storm is expected to take on more of a westward track later Tuesday. By midweek, forecasters expect the storm will track across the northern Bahamas with its outer rain bands creeping into Florida.

Nicole is the 14th named storm of the 2022 Atlantic season.