Update: the center of Tropical Depression Nine was located near latitude 22.0 North, longitude 76.2 West.
The depression is moving toward the northwest near 6 mph (9 km/h). A north-northwestward motion is expected to begin later today and continue through Monday.
On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move across the central and northwestern Bahamas this weekend and approach the southeast U.S. coast early next week.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and the system is forecast to become a tropical storm by tonight and a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday.
The estimated minimum central pressure based on NOAA Hurricane Hunter dropsonde data is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).
As it continues to strengthen into a tropical storm or hurricane, it would be Imelda.
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the marine zone, coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine, as well as Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach out to 20 nautical miles.
If the storm stays to the east, northeast winds can be expected on Monday, accompanied by hazardous coastal/boating conditions, including a high risk of rip currents and strong gusts along the coast.
Currently, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Central Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the East coast of Florida from the Palm Beach/Martin County Line to the Flagler/Volusia County Line.
Meanwhile, the eye of Hurricane Humberto was located near latitude 22.9 North, longitude 61.1 West.
Humberto is moving toward the west near 6 mph (9 km/h). By early Monday, a turn toward the northwest at a slightly faster forward speed is forecast, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest by Monday night.
Maximum sustained winds are 160 mph (257 km/h) with higher gusts. Humberto is a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Additional strengthening is forecast through the weekend. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 925 mb (27.32 inches).
Swells generated by both this system and Hurricane Humberto will affect portions of the Bahamas this weekend, and spread to portions of the southeast U.S. coast early next week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.