A strengthening tropical depression is moving toward the Bahamas and southeastern United States, with forecasters saying it could become Tropical Storm Imelda as early as today.

The National Hurricane Center reported Sunday that Tropical Depression Nine is currently located just south of the central Bahamas, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

“Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and the system is forecast to become a tropical storm later today and a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday,” the National Hurricane Center said in an update Sunday morning.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the central and northwestern Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, and Grand Bahama Island.

A tropical storm watch extends along Florida’s east coast from Palm Beach to Vol

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