Tropical storms have been issued for parts of Florida's east coast, which will be named Imelda. Humberto is also strengthening to Category 4 and is moving slowly, posing no threat to the U.S. Imelda could be a different story.

On Saturday, around noon EST, the National Hurricane Center announced that the disturbance had become more defined at its center and is a tropical depression, the ninth of the season. A hurricane hunter aircraft investigated the storm, and the maximum sustained winds are 35 mph. Hurricane hunters will be flying over this system this afternoon and evening.

The forecast shows signs of low confidence from Tuesday onward. From Saturday to Tuesday, the system will gradually intensify into a hurricane by early Tuesday or tomorrow morning as it moves parallel to Florida. For Florida, winds are expected to increase on Monday, especially along the central east coast, but no direct impacts from Imelda are anticipated. Marine conditions will be hazardous, with a high risk of rip currents.

The Carolinas are not currently at direct risk. The seas in this area will also be dangerous, with a possible storm surge, high waves, and rip currents. The track issued Saturday afternoon indicates that Hurricane Imelda (for Tuesday) will turn, heading offshore, away from the coast. For now, we continue to consider various factors that could alter the long-term trajectory. The front moving over the southeast of the country could push the storm out to sea, but only if it remains strong enough.

We will continue to monitor the tropics and keep you informed.