In an unprecedented weather event, Sarasota, Florida has experienced record-breaking rainfall, with nearly 4 inches of rain falling in just a single hour on Tuesday. The heavy downpours have resulted in flooding across the region, and double-digit rain totals are expected throughout South Florida as a torrential rainstorm continues to deluge the area until Friday.

Flood watches have been extended through Thursday evening, covering major cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Fort Myers, and Naples. Already, some locations have reported rainfall nearing a foot, with the forecast predicting even heavier rain to come.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport observed the highest one-hour rain total since hourly observations began in 1972, with 3.93 inches falling between 7 and 8 p.m. Tuesday. Additionally, some areas have reported 8 inches of rainfall within a three-hour timeframe, an event that statistically has just a 0.1 percent chance of occurring in any given year.

The downtown area of Sarasota was severely impacted by the downpour, rendering streets and intersections impassible as floodwaters seeped into businesses. Nearby Bradenton's IMG Academy reported a staggering 9.15 inches of rain, prompting a flash flood warning in the area.

Flash flood warnings were also issued for Miami and parts of Fort Lauderdale, where heavy rainfall left multiple locations submerged. Sunny Isles Beach in Miami recorded 6.69 inches of rain, while Hollywood and North Miami reported 5.94 and 5.18 inches, respectively.

In a surprising turn of events, the same storm system has caught the attention of the National Hurricane Center, which is monitoring it for potential tropical characteristics. Although it is unlikely to develop, this serves as a reminder that the warming oceans could soon create an atmosphere conducive to the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes. If the system were to mature, it would be named Alberto, with the Hurricane Center estimating a 20 percent likelihood of this happening.

Multiple tornado warnings were also issued on Wednesday morning as thunderstorms exhibited rotation, possibly due to the spin near a stalled front in the area. One warning indicated a confirmed tornado approaching Alligator Alley, a major highway spanning the Everglades. Radar confirmed debris in the air. Additional tornado warnings were posted for other affecting storms.

The ongoing rainstorm can be attributed to a weak low-pressure zone that formed in the Gulf of Mexico and settled over the Florida Peninsula. This, combined with several other weather features, has resulted in continuous showers and thunderstorms. The persistent moist flow over Florida has caused storms to repeatedly move over the same areas, leading to localized heavy downpours.

The forecast predicts that the showers and storms will persist until late Friday, primarily affecting areas south of Tampa to the Space Coast. By Saturday, storms are expected to become more scattered, although the remnants of the frontal system may contribute to increased storm coverage. The low-pressure system responsible for the heavy rain is projected to move northeast into the Northwest Atlantic, gradually subsiding the intense downpours over South Florida. There is a possibility that the low-pressure system may acquire subtropical characteristics as it interacts with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

Residents and authorities are advised to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions as the regions remain under flood watches and flash flood warnings. With another 4 to 8 inches of rainfall predicted for southwest Florida, including Fort Myers and Naples, and an additional 3 to 5 inches expected for Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the possibility of further flooding remains high.