Tropical Storm Humberto nearing hurricane strength

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tropical Depression 9 strengthened Friday night into Tropical Storm Humberto.

The National Hurricane Center’s latest storm track keeps the storm offshore of Florida.

The National Hurricane Center says global weather models suggest the cyclone will strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday. But, by then, it’s expected to have shifted well over the Atlantic Ocean — southeast of the coast of the Carolinas.

The Friday night advisory from the National Hurricane Center took all of the Tampa Bay area out of the cone of uncertainty. 

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As of the latest advisory, the system was about 180 miles north-northwest of Great Abaco Island. It has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and is moving north at 7 mph.

There are no tropical storm watches or warnings in effect.

10Weather Meteorologist Grant Gilmore says this particular disturbance could bring heavy rain and gusty winds to parts of the Bahamas. That could be a problem for parts of the islands affected by Hurricane Dorian.

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