Tropical Storm Imelda near Bahamas likely to strengthen into Hurricane

Tropical Storm Imelda formed Sunday near the Bahamas and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Monday or Tuesday as it moves northward, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.

As of 8 p.m. EDT Sunday, Imelda was about 30 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of the northwest Bahamas and roughly 355 miles (570 kilometers) southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, moving north at 9 mph (15 kph) with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph (65 kph).

The storm brought heavy rain and rough seas to parts of the Bahamas and Cuba and briefly prompted a tropical storm watch along Florida’s Atlantic coast, which was later discontinued Sunday afternoon.

Forecasters say Imelda is most likely to slowly turn northeast off the Southeast U.S. coast beginning Tuesday, tracking toward Bermuda and out into the open Atlantic. Early forecasts that suggested a possible landfall in the Carolinas have been largely ruled out.

Because the storm is expected to linger near the Bahamas, the risk of flooding remains even though a direct U.S. landfall is unlikely. Deep, warm ocean waters—including the Gulf Stream—and favorable upper-level winds are expected to fuel modest strengthening, with Imelda forecast to reach high-end Category 1 hurricane status by midweek.

Eventually, factors such as shearing winds and dry air are likely to limit further intensification, keeping Imelda a low-end hurricane as it passes offshore of the Southeast.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto remained a powerful Category 4 storm further out in the Atlantic, slightly weaker than earlier in the day but still posing a potential threat to Bermuda. The Bermuda Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch, warning that tropical-storm-force winds could reach the island within 48 hours.

The NHC continues to urge residents along the southeastern U.S. coast and in Bermuda to monitor the progress of both storms and remain prepared for potential hazardous conditions.