Florida Not Living Up To Its Name

Florida is nicknamed "The Sunshine State," but this week it is not living up to that title. Heavy rain is inundating the entire state right now, as a stalled cold front interacts with a developing area of low pressure drifting through the region. So far, widespread 2"-4" have fallen in Florida this week, and here is what Floridians can expect over the next 24 hours alone.

That red bulls eye in Northeast Florida is up to 5.5" of rain possible from today into early Wednesday morning.

And by this weekend, check out the totals this low pressure system will be capable of producing over the next five days:

Wow, that's more than 10" of rain possibly along the Northeast Florida coast!

As the low tracks westward into the Gulf of Mexico, it could become the first named storm of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Ana. It would have to develop at least partial tropical characteristics to earn that designation, though, and it may end up being nothing more than a prolific rain-producing low pressure system passing through the Gulf States this week. However, because of at least the slight potential for tropical cyclone development, the National Hurricane Center has been keeping an eye on the system (well, technically the low over the Bahamas is being absorbed into the low over Florida, but they're watching it).

In case you're wondering, here's the full list of names for the 2009 season, which official begins June 1st.

--Carrie