Tropical Storm Debby forms: Hurricane impacts likely in Florida

Tropical Storm Debby formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to reach hurricane strength before landfall in Florida.

Based on increasing wind speeds and better system organization, Tropical Depression Four was upgraded to Tropical Storm Debby Saturday afternoon. At around 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Debby was located a few dozen miles south of Dry Tortugas National Park, Fla., and will continue to track north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico Saturday through Monday. Debby is forecast to intensify into a hurricane before making landfall in northern Fla. on Monday.

As the system moves north along the eastern Gulf Coast on Saturday and Sunday, it will spin bands or clusters of heavy rain and gusty winds across the peninsula. However, by late Sunday or early Monday morning, the system will make a northeast turn, bringing the center of the storm over the Florida Big Bend area, where hurricane conditions are expected.

Tropical storm conditions are expected further south along Florida's west coast, including the Tampa Bay area. Meanwhile, considerable local flash and urban flooding are possible across portions of Florida and coastal areas of the Southeast U.S. on Saturday through Wednesday.

The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings, and a state of emergency has been posted. Weather & Radar will continue to provide these daily updates.