Depression 3 In Gulf Expected To Become Tropical Storm Tuesday

TAMPA, FL — The day after the official start of hurricane season, National Hurricane Center forecasters say a slow-moving tropical depression has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is approaching tropical storm strength.

In its 11 a.m. weather advisory, the NHC said Tropical Depression Three has sustained winds of 35 mph. To be declared a tropical storm, winds must reach 39 mph. Forecasters say that is expected to occur Tuesday afternoon.

The depression is currently located over the Bay of Campeche, which is under a tropical storm warning.

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Deadly flooding has already occurred in portions of Guatemala and El Salvador, and the depression is expected to bring additional heavy rainfall to portions of southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, which could cause life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

The system is forecast to begin moving northward across the Gulf of Mexico by this weekend. Models show the path of the depression heading toward New Orleans as a tropical cyclone with winds ranging from 39 to 73 mph. However, the hurricane center said it is too soon to specify the location and timing of any potential impacts along the Gulf Coast.

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