National Hurricane Center tracking potential for Tropical Storm Imelda to form this weekend

A rapidly developing tropical system is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda this weekend as it approaches the southeastern U.S., the National Hurricane Center said Saturday. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is currently located northwest of Cuba, moving northwest at 7 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The system is forecast to become a tropical storm this weekend and potentially strengthen to Hurricane Imelda by late Monday. The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm warnings for the central and northwestern Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, New Providence, and Grand Bahama Island. Tropical storm conditions are expected in these areas beginning Saturday night and Sunday. The system is predicted to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain in the Bahamas, with isolated maximum totals up to 16 inches possible in eastern Cuba. Significant rainfall is also expected along the southeastern U.S. coast, potentially causing flash and urban flooding from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas. Storm surge could raise water levels 1 to 3 feet above ground in the northwestern Bahamas, accompanied by large waves. Dangerous surf and rip current conditions are anticipated along the southeast U.S. coast early next week. The National Hurricane Center said that the system is expected to be near hurricane strength when approaching the southeastern U.S. coast, urging residents to monitor updates and prepare their hurricane plans. The system has a 90% chance of tropical cyclone formation within the next 48 hours. Hurricane Humberto continues to churn out in the Atlantic Ocean as a powerful Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. The massive storm is expected to turn away from the East Coast early next week. The hurricane was located about 375 miles northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands as of 5 a.m. Saturday, moving west at 6 mph. While no coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect, residents of Bermuda should monitor the storm's progress, forecasters said. Humberto is expected to remain a major hurricane through early next week. The storm's projected path shows it turning toward the northwest by early Monday at a slightly faster forward speed, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest by Monday night. By later in the forecast period, an upper-level weather system moving from the Canadian Maritimes is expected to steer Humberto rapidly toward the northeast.