Tropical Storm Nicole: Satellite Image Shows Cyclone Headed For Florida

A satellite captured Tropical storm Nicole as it made its way toward Florida. Its size shows that its effects could be "far-reaching."

The image was taken by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument on the Suomi NPP Satellite at 1 p.m. EST Tuesday, according to NASA Earth Observatory, which shared the photo as its image of the day for Thursday.

In the image, one can see Tropical Storm Nicole with sustained winds of about 60 miles per hour. The agency said the storm's "strongest winds" have been expected to affect parts of Florida's east coast. But given its massive size, which is evident in the photo, it's quite possible that its effects could extend beyond its path.

"Dangerous storm surge was expected along coastal Florida and Georgia, while heavy rainfall was expected across much of the Florida Peninsula — bringing even more water to places still recovering from flooding caused by Hurricane Ian in late September," NASA Earth Observatory noted.

Hurricane Ian also caused millions of people to lose electricity at the time of its onslaught.

NASA Earth Observatory shared another satellite image of Tropical Storm Nicole, this time taken by the Advanced Baseline Imager on the GOES-16 satellite at 10 a.m. EST Wednesday. By then, Nicole was already 210 miles off of West Palm Beach, Florida, with sustained wind speeds of 70 miles per hour.

According to the National Hurricane Center's update on the storm at 11 p.m. EST Wednesday, Nicole was already moving away from Grand Bahama Island and was heading toward Florida's east coast.

The "late season" cyclone made landfall in the Bahamas Wednesday morning, CNN reported. It has also strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with 75 miles per hour winds as it moves toward Florida.

Nicole is expected to bring "strong winds, a dangerous storm surge and heavy rains," as per the National Hurricane Center. People are advised not to focus on Nicole's path, as it is expected to affect "much of the Florida peninsula and portions of southeast United States."

The agency has also listed the areas where tropical storm, storm surge and hurricane warnings and watches are in effect. It's worth noting that there are differences between a "warning" and a "watch."

"For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office," the National Hurricane Center noted.

Nicole is expected to "weaken and turn northward" after it makes landfall in Florida, according to NASA Earth Observatory.