Tropical Storm Humberto forms near Bahamas

TAMPA, Fla. - Forecasters say Tropical Depression 9 has reached named-storm status Friday night. Tropical Storm Humberto was about 130 miles east southeast of Abaco Island with winds reaching 40 miles per hour.

The storm was moving northwest at about 6 miles per hour. 

As of the 11 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, the system turn north-northwest by Sunday, with a slower northward motion forecast to occur by Monday.

On the forecast track, the system is anticipated to move very near the northwestern Bahamas Saturday and offshore of the east coast of Florida this weekend and early next week.

“Unfortunately, this is going to be bringing more rain, and even potentially more tropical storm-force winds to the northwestern Bahamas, which just had Dorian to deal with," said FOX 13 Meteorologist Brittany Rainey. "And they definitely don’t need any more rain or any strong winds."

That portion of the Bahamas will experience rain and some gusty winds throughout Friday and into Saturday. Then, the disturbance will approach the eastern coast of Florida.

“This is not going to be a Dorian setup. It is going to be picking up speed, so it’s not going to stall out and see that rapid intensification,” Rainey explained.

The National Hurricane Center projects the disturbance won’t move directly over Tampa Bay, but states that the “forecast uncertainty for these disturbances is generally larger than for tropical cyclones, especially beyond 48-72 hours.”

A tropical storm watch on the east coast of Florida has been discontinued.

Meanwhile, a tropical storm warning is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas excluding Andros Island. 

Tampa Bay will be breezy this weekend, but, on the current track, the heaviest rain will be on the east coast. FOX 13 Meteorologist Tyler Eliasen said that is good news for the Tampa Bay area.

"A track off the east coast almost always leads to minimal impacts, especially with a tropical storm. For now, those on the east coast can expect off and on rain with gusty winds, possibly up to tropical storm-force, from Saturday afternoon through Monday morning, along with high surf," Eliasen said. "On the west coast of the state, impacts will be limited to a couple windy days with a few fast-moving showers."

LINK: Track the tropics on MyFoxHurricane.com