The Weather ChannelA tropical depression that formed in the Florida Straits was moving into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico early Monday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said it could soon become a tropical storm.
The depression's maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph (55 kph) with some strengthening expected during the next two days. Forecasters said it could become a tropical storm later in the day or overnight.
As of 5 a.m. EDT, the depression was centered about 155 miles (245 kilometers) west-southwest of Key West, Florida, and was moving west near 9 mph (15 kph).
The depression was expected to bring 3 to 5 inches of rain over the southern Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys through Wednesday that could cause flooding and flash flooding. The system is expected to impact the eastern Gulf/Florida Panhandle region later this week.