JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tropical Depression Nine continues it’s move north toward the Bahamas. Tropical Depression 9 currently has winds at 35 mph and is moving northwest slowly, registering a 5mph forward motion. 

The forecast is for this storm to move parallel to the Florida coast before slowing down and then making a hard turn to the east. At this time the cone does not include any land along the southeast coast of the United States. This is forecast to become Tropical Storm Imelda by Saturday evening. 

Our area will feel the impacts building in by Monday. Winds will begin to pick up out of the northeast at 10 mph, building to 25 mph sustained at the coast. It’ll be slightly less inland. Gusts will be up to 30-35 miles per hour later in the day at the beaches. 

Tuesday winds will pick up to 20-30 mph with gusts to 40 mph at the beaches. The strongest winds will remain at the beach. 

The forecast is for this storm to move parallel to the Florida coast before slowing down and then making a hard turn to the east. At this time the cone does not include any land along the southeast coast of the United States. This is forecast to become Tropical Storm Imelda by Saturday evening. 

Our area will feel the impacts building in by Monday. Winds will begin to pick up out of the northeast at 10 mph, building to 25 mph sustained at the coast. It’ll be slightly less inland. Gusts will be up to 30-35 miles per hour later in the day at the beaches. 

Tuesday winds will pick up to 20-30 mph with gusts to 40 mph at the beaches. The strongest winds will remain at the beach. 

While this won’t be a major rainmaker, bands of heavy rain will move on shore off and on over the course of Monday and Tuesday. With heavier rainfall in very localized areas, and training potential especially at the coast, there could be some isolated flash flooding. 

As water is pushed toward the beaches and into the river, we could get a 1-2 foot surge, meaning coastal flooding will be likely at times. of high tide. 

Here are your high tides for local coastal communities for Monday: 

Tropical Storm warnings have been issued for the islands of the Bahamas, while Tropical Storm watches have been issued for the east coast of Florida and coastal Southeast Georgia. The tropical storm watch for the northeast Florida, southeast Georgia area is for offshore waters currently, the watches impacting land would be from Volusia County south to Martin County. This could be updated to include the coastline of the First Coast and Georgia later Saturday night.  

Main impacts for the First Coast look to be coastal issues like dangerous rip currents, large surf of 6+ feet, and gusty winds. Outer bands could move onshore Sunday night into Monday, which could occasionally bring some areas on the First Coast heavy rain and gusty winds.

Please check back in for updates to the forecast – we’ll know more about impacts from outer bands as the storm gets closer.