Final answer:
The presence of wind shear over southwest Florida could have reduced the strength of Tropical Storm Erika if it had continued along the same path.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Tropical Storm Erika had continued along the same path, a developing weather phenomenon over southwest Florida could have reduced its strength. One possible development that could have weakened the storm is the presence of wind shear. Wind shear is the change in wind direction and/or speed with height. When there is strong wind shear in the atmosphere, it can disrupt the vertical structure of a storm by causing the upper-level part of the storm to be blown away from the lower-level circulation. This can lead to the weakening or even the dissipation of the storm.
For example, if Tropical Storm Erika encountered strong wind shear over southwest Florida, the strong winds blowing in different directions at different altitudes could have disrupted the storm's organization and prevented it from intensifying further. Wind shear can also cause the storm to tilt, which can disrupt its heat and moisture supply, further weakening it.
Therefore, if Tropical Storm Erika had continued along the same path and encountered significant wind shear over southwest Florida, it is likely that the storm would have been weakened before it made landfall.