Chance of rain on election day, storm brewing in the Caribbean

Rain chances will increase in Brevard County on Election Day, but the bigger weather watch will be on a growing low pressure system in the southwest Caribbean Sea that is threatening to strengthen and could impact Florida.

The National Hurricane Center reported Sunday that the slowly brewing, disorganized shower system is likely to develop into a tropical depression over the next two days and slowly move north into the Gulf of Mexico. Multiple computer models show that the storm – which will be named Rafael – may be heading toward the already storm-ravaged northwestern corner of Florida.

“It's a little early to tell, but what we can say now is that there's a high chance it will at least become a tropical depression. “In addition, time will determine any type of intensity,” said Brendan Schaper, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

Once the disorganized system comes together, tropical storm warnings — along with statements of possible flooding — could be issued for nearby islands, Schaper said, adding that hurricane hunters are assessing the building storm.

There's a good chance it will rain on Election Day, when residents across the county have to line up to cast their votes for president and other offices.

“It looks like temperatures will be in the mid 80s, maybe even a little warmer. The chance of rain is around 20 to 30 percent. It will also be a bit gusty at times,” said Schaper.

JD Gallop is a criminal justice and breaking news reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or [email protected]. X Account: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Weather watch: Rain likely on Election Day, storm brewing in the Caribbean