Tropical Depression Nine is just shy of becoming the next named storm of the season as it moves over the Bahamas.

This is expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda later on Sunday and a Category 1 hurricane Monday or Tuesday as it passes off Florida’s east coast.

The Watch runs from the Palm Beach/Martin County Line to Flagler/Volusia County Line, where fringe effects from the storm will be possible starting on Monday. Tropical Storm Warning is up for the Bahamas.

Space Coast areas could feel tropical-storm-force wind gusts, in the 40-50 mph range, but the storm stays offshore and impacts aren’t expected inland. Rough beach and boating conditions will be in place for several days on the east coast of Florida.

The latest trend is good news for the Carolinas and coastal Georgia. These areas are no longer included in the forecast cone and there is high confidence Imelda stays offshore before turning east and going out to sea.

This brings rain totals down significantly with a general 2-4″ and locally high rainfall totals up to 7″ near the coast through Wednesday morning.

Part of what is helping to steer future Imelda out to sea is Hurricane Humberto, which is altering the steering currents and helping to tug the storm east.

Humberto is still a powerful Category 4 hurricane and will pass west of Bermuda Tuesday – Wednesday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine (soon to be named “Imelda”) has formed off the coast of Cuba.

This is expected to become a tropical storm over the weekend, prompting tropical storm warnings for the Bahamas.

This system should parallel the east coast of Florida before possibly making landfall early next week.

The system (soon to be named “Imelda”) will likely strengthen into a hurricane by Monday afternoon.

There is an increasing threat across Georgia and the Carolinas for flash, urban, and river flooding brought on by the storm. Storm surge and wind impacts will be possible for these areas, with specifics determined after the storm forms.

The east coast of Florida should monitor this system, though it’s unlikely to receive significant impacts from it. This should not meaningfully impact Tampa Bay or Florida’s Gulf coast.

Meanwhile, Humberto is now a major hurricane. It should continue strengthening over the weekend and remain well east of the United States.

Bermuda is included within its forecast cone and should follow Humberto’s progress carefully.