Tropical depression off Fla. likely to become Atlantic hurricane season's first named storm
MIAMI -- A tropical depression has formed off the coast of Florida and is expected to develop fairly quickly into the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Tropical Depression One formed Monday and had maximum sustained winds of about 35 mph, with higher gusts. It was centered 95 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral and was moving southwest at about 2 mph.
A tropical-storm watch was in effect Monday night for the east coast of Florida from Fort Pierce northward to just south of Flagler Beach.
The Hurricane Center said gradual strengthening was expected during the next 48 hours and that the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm by Tuesday.
If it does, it would be named Arthur, notes CBS Miami.
Meanwhile in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Elida is drifting southward off Mexico's southwestern coast. Elida's maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with some weakening forecast.
A tropical storm warning is effect for Mexico's coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes.