Tropical depression forms in the Bahamas, expected to bring rain to Florida

The depression is expected to remain weak, with its primary impact being about 1-3 inches of rain across eastern Florida on Tuesday.

A tropical depression has formed in the Bahamas, the National Hurricane Center announced Monday afternoon.

The depression is expected to remain weak, with its primary impact being about 1-3 inches of rain across eastern Florida on Tuesday.

Most of the system's strongest winds should remain offshore.

"On its current forecast track, the center of the depression should remain just offshore of the east coast of Florida over the next day or so," the hurricane center said.

However, vacationers aboard cruise ships may not enjoy the ride.

"Choppy seas and downpours associated with the tropical system can create less-than-ideal sailing conditions for those on cruise ships across the southwestern Atlantic," AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

As of 5 p.m. EDT, the center of the depression was about 120 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Florida, and was moving to the northwest at 13 mph.

If the depression's winds reach 39 mph, which is not forecast, it would become Tropical Storm Chantal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical depression forms in the Bahamas off South Florida