NHC: Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico. See projected path, spaghetti models

This story has been updated to add new information.

The tropical system hovering near the Gulf of Mexico for the past week became organized enough to become a tropical depression before strengthening into Tropical Storm Milton on Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The system is expected to be near major hurricane strength as it reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula next week, more than a week since Helene's landfall , which resulted in at least 128 deaths, with hundreds still missing.

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Here's what we know so far:

NHC: Tropical Storm Milton forms in the Gulf of Mexico

According to the NHC's 12:25 p.m. weather advisory, recent satellite wind data indicate that the depression has strengthened into Tropical Storm Milton.

• Location: About 220 miles north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico
• Maximum sustained winds: 40 mph
• Present movement: North-northeast at 3 mph

More: Where are all those predicted hurricanes? Experts fear they're still coming.

Tropical Storm Milton tracker: See the storm's path toward Florida

Early forecasts show the tropical system moving eastward to northeastward, away from Texas, across the Gulf of Mexico. The NHC says the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys, and the northwestern Bahamas should monitor the progress of this system.

Regardless of development, locally heavy rains could occur over portions of Mexico during the next day or two, and over much of Florida late this weekend through the middle of next week. Hurricane and Storm Surge watches will likely be required for portions of Florida on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Milton spaghetti models: See projected path

Hurricane tracker: NHC also tracking Hurricane Kirk, Hurricane Leslie and another tropical system

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— USA TODAY reporter Dinah Voyles Pulver contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: NHC: Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico. See projected path, spaghetti models