(Miami, FL) -- A tropical depression southwest 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 100 miles west-southwest 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 40 mph, as of the 5 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 moved across western Cuba Saturday afternoon and will move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico Saturday evening and into Sunday, reaching the Florida Gulf coast late Sunday or Monday.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* The Florida Gulf coast from the Suwannee River to the Ochlockonee
River
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Florida coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass
* Florida coast east of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* The Florida Keys west of the Seven Mile Bridge including the Dry
Tortugas
* West coast of the Florida peninsula from south of the Suwannee
River to East Cape Sable
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* The Florida Keys north of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Channel 5
Bridge
* The Florida coast west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Aripeka northward to Indian Pass
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Bonita Beach northward to Aripeka, including Tampa Bay
and Charlotte Harbor