This week, attention in the tropical Atlantic has turned to Invest 93L, a disturbance currently drifting westward along the northern Gulf Coast after recently crossing Florida.
This system, which has a medium likelihood of developing into a tropical depression or storm—potentially named Dexter—poses a pressing concern for regions in Louisiana as it approaches.
Weather experts indicate that while significant strengthening of the system is unlikely due to its proximity to land, the potential for heavy rainfall remains a critical threat, especially in light of the amplified impacts of climate change.
On Monday, Plant City, Florida, experienced an extraordinary rainfall event, receiving ten inches of rain in just three hours, an occurrence classified as a 1-in-1,000-year rain.
Such extremes are becoming increasingly common; as of last week, 30 locations across the U.S. had already surpassed their historical rainfall thresholds for 2025.
In 2024, there were 35 instances of such extreme rainfall, suggesting that this year is likely to experience even more unusual flooding events.
Regardless of whether it develops into Invest 93L, Tropical Depression Four, or Tropical Storm Dexter, the impending system is anticipated to generate significant and potentially historic rainfall across Louisiana.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center has issued a moderate risk warning to south-central and southwest Louisiana, including areas like Lake Charles and Lafayette, indicating a heightened concern for flash flooding as rainfall is expected to persist from Wednesday through the weekend.
This elevated risk, scoring a 3 on a scale of 4, reflects serious concerns about flash flood thresholds being exceeded in the coming days.
The surge in extreme weather events—especially rainfall—can be linked to climate change, which alters the hydrological cycle to produce a wetter atmosphere equipped with greater precipitation potential.
Ben Noll, a meteorologist at the Washington Post, notes that global precipitable water levels hit record highs in 2024, with 2025 not far behind.
In the U.S., the measurable water vapor in the atmosphere has consistently remained above average, being above the 90th percentile on half of all summer days this year.
South Florida has already felt the effects of such weather patterns, witnessing severe flooding events that have become narrative staples in the area.
Most notably, the region grappled with a flash flood in April 2023, when 20 inches of rain fell in just 12 hours, resulting in widespread disruptions near the Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Then again in November 2023, a foot of rain hit the area, exacerbated by rising King Tides and higher sea levels attributable to global warming, leading to significant damage in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
In June 2024, urban flooding returned as the area was hit with up to 21 inches of rain over three days.
As forecasts predict worsening flooding conditions in the coming days ahead of the peak hurricane season—just two weeks away—residents in vulnerable areas are advised to stay vigilant and prepared for potential emergencies.
image source from：nbcmiami
