ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tropical Depression Ten has formed near the southern Gulf of Mexico — and it is expected to become Tropical Storm Idalia on Sunday.
The storm is expected to bring impacts to parts of Florida.
The depression has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and is located about 55 miles northeast of Cozumel, Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest advisory. It's moving southwest at 2 mph.
Forecasters expect the storm to become a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday as it moves over the eastern Gulf of Mexico in a few days.
The NHC says heavy rainfall is likely to impact a portion of the west coast of the state, the Panhandle and southeast region by mid-to-late next week.
The European weather model drifts the storm northward Monday into the Gulf of Mexico then right along the Tampa Bay area coast by Tuesday and into Wednesday. That model also shows the system strengthening as it moves into the Gulf with at least a tropical depression or tropical storm possible.
The GFS weather model, or what we call the American model, is now attempting to organize this system into a depression or tropical storm by early next week as the system pulls north and strengthens before approaching the Florida panhandle.
It is too early to know the specific location of the greatest impacts, but it’s not too early to ensure you're prepared — just in case.
Tropical storm force wind is possible Tuesday into Wednesday, with a 3-5 foot storm surge (at high tide) along the barrier islands. Heavy rainfall is likely, and there is the chance of tornadoes.
10 Tampa Bay is keeping you ahead of the storm: Download our free mobile app for real-time storm information and breaking alerts, and download 10 Tampa Bay+ for your favorite streaming device for live updates.
Make sure those hurricane kits are ready to go and that you have your plan updated. A disaster-preparedness sales tax holiday is starting this weekend, meaning you could save on important hurricane kit items, including high-priced items such as generators.
Due to the level of uncertainty at this point, it will be important for you to check back in frequently with us through the weekend.
