JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tropical Depression 9 formed early Friday morning in the eastern Caribbean. The forecast cone does include parts of Florida.
As of 8 p.m., maximum sustained winds were at 35 mph with higher gusts, and the depression was moving to the WNW at 15 mph.
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Hurricane Hunters are investigating the depression.
The depression is expected to strengthen over the Caribbean Sea. It’s expected to become a tropical storm by Friday night. More significant intensification is forecast on Sunday and Monday, and the system is forecast to become a hurricane by early Monday.
Tropical storm force winds may impact Southwest Florida as early as Tuesday when the storm is forecast to reach Category 2 strength.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Cayman Islands, and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Jamaica.
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This depression is the ninth system to form during the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
It is too early to know about impacts on Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, but the track may move up the east coast bringing damage similar to Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
Regardless of the exact track, it is becoming likely rain chances will increase Wednesday through the end of next week.
This is a system to keep a very close eye on, as the long-term track remains uncertain.
Stay with The Weather Authority and news4jax.com for updates throughout the next several days.