Tropical Depression Nine forms in Gulf, expected to strengthen

Tropical Depression Nine has formed over the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center says the depression was located about 615 kilometres west of Progreso, Mexico, and about 1,015 kilometres southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River as of 4 p.m. CDT Tuesday.

The system is moving east at about 7 km/h, with an east to east-northeast track expected over the next couple of days. A turn toward the northeast is forecast by Friday.

The depression is expected to pass north of the Yucatan Peninsula Thursday before approaching the northern Gulf Coast on Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are currently near 55 km/h, with higher gusts. The National Hurricane Center forecasts the system to become a tropical storm early Wednesday and reach hurricane strength Thursday.

No coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect, although interests in the Yucatan Peninsula and along the northern U.S. Gulf Coast are being advised to closely monitor the system.

Heavy rainfall possible

The depression is expected to produce 50 to 100 millimetres of rain through Thursday across coastal portions of the Bay of Campeche, with isolated higher amounts possible in Campeche and western Yucatan.

From Friday through the weekend, rainfall totals of 75 to 150 millimetres are possible across the central U.S. Gulf Coast from southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, with localized totals reaching 250 millimetres.

The National Hurricane Center says flash, urban and isolated river flooding will be possible.

Gusty winds are also possible across parts of the Yucatan Peninsula Thursday, while swells from the system are expected to reach western and northern portions of the peninsula. The swells could produce dangerous surf and rip-current conditions.