(Miami, FL) -- A tropical depression south of Key West is expected to become a tropical storm later today as it strengthens over the Gulf of Mexico. A tropical storm warning has been issued in Florida ahead of what forecasters predict will be Tropical Storm Debby. The system is currently about 200 miles south of Key West and is heading north.
It's expected to reach the Florida Gulf Coast late Sunday or early Monday, where forecasters say it will produce heavy rainfall, storm surge, and coastal flooding for several days.
The depression is moving toward the north-northwest near 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, about 115 miles south-southwest of Key West, as of the 2 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
A turn toward the northwest is forecast today, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastward motion on Sunday night and Monday. On the forecast track, the center of the depression will move across western Cuba this morning, and then move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico later today and Sunday, reaching the Florida Gulf coast late Sunday or Monday.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Aucilla River to Yankeetown
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* The Dry Tortugas
* West coast of the Florida peninsula from south of Yankeetown
to East Cape Sable
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* The Florida Keys south of the Channel 5 Bridge
* West of the Aucilla River to the Ochlockonee River
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Bonita Beach northward to the Aucilla River, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor
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