ORLANDO, Fla. _ What's expected to become Tropical Storm Humberto was upgraded to a tropical depression Friday evening and could reach tropical storm strength on Saturday as it heads toward Florida, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. EDT update.
"Tropical Depression Nine," located near the already-battered Bahamas, picked up speed and is now moving at 8 mph. The latest track shifted farther east and has it off Florida's coast on Saturday.
"Hurricane hunters flying through (the storm) this afternoon are reporting signs that it may be finally showing signs of organization and a tropical depression or tropical storm may form later today or tonight," said WOFL meteorologist Brooks Tomlin. "There's not much change to forecast rationale, especially as the system may be organizing further east than originally predicted. If the eastward trend continues, the forecast track may be shifted east in later advisories. If the system remains far enough east of our coast, our weather forecast for the weekend will be drier."
The system has maximum sustained winds of 30 mph; if and when its sustained winds reach 39 mph, it will be named Tropical Storm Humberto.
A tropical storm watch is in effect from the Jupiter Inlet to Flagler-Volusia county line.
The storm is currently located 240 miles east-southeast of Freeport, Bahamas, and 140 miles east-southeast of Great Abaco Island, both of which were devastated by Hurricane Dorian earlier this month.
The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall for the Bahamas and could also drench eastern Florida if its path brings it closer to the state.
A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
The NHC added that the depression is "forecast to become a tropical storm within the next 24 hours and will likely bring tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rainfall to portions of the northwestern Bahamas later today and Saturday."
"The system could still bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the Florida east coast. Residents there should monitor the progress of this system and follow any advice given by local officials," the NHC said.
Some forecast models show the storm potentially growing stronger.
"Global models insist on further development, and the reliable guidance suggests that the cyclone could even reach hurricane intensity in about 3 days, and so does the NHC forecast," the NHC said. "By then, the system is expected to be over the Atlantic waters well southeast of the coast of the Carolinas."
The Sunshine State is expected to receive between 2 and 4 inches of rain Saturday and Sunday, the NHC said, but significant storm surge is not expected along the coast.
The system is expected to be north of Jacksonville by Monday and farther out in the Atlantic with strengthened winds and gusts, both up to 60 mph.
Gov. Ron DeSantis advised Floridians to prepare as soon as possible.
"As we saw last year with Hurricane Michael, these things are sometimes quick developing," he said. "I think because Dorian was such a slow-moving storm, people kind of waited (and) waited. Just understand that this stuff can happen quicker, so just keep looking out for what's going on."
While the system could have minimal impact on Central Florida it's important to be ready for the worst, said WOFL meteorologist Jayme King.
"Keep in mind this is not a hurricane, but don't let your guard down," King said. "Even in tropical storms you can have powerful gusts, there are possibilities of isolated tornadoes and a host of other factors that can unfold. Be ready and stay with us for the latest."
Meanwhile, two more tropical waves are being tracked by the National Hurricane Center.
The two systems located off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic are projected to be either in the Caribbean and near the Leeward Islands or approaching them in the NHC's five-day tropical outlook.
The NHC puts chances of the closer of the two systems of becoming a tropical depression at 20% in the next 48 hours and 50% in the next five days, with the system farther off only a 10% chance in the next 48 hours and 40% in the next five days.
