Disturbance in Gulf becomes Tropical Depression Nine, 3 named tropical storms being tracked

5 p.m. Update:

A disturbance in the Gulf has officially organized into a tropical cyclone and into Tropical Depression Nine, Channel 9 Certified Chief Meteorologist George Waldenberger said.

It’s expected to strengthen into a tropical storm before moving into South Texas, with some risk of flooding, but also some beneficial rainfall tomorrow.

Gert, a weakening tropical storm has been downgraded into a tropical depression over the distant Atlantic waters.

Franklin, a tropical storm over the Caribbean, is still forecast to move over Hispaniola and drop heavy rains there before moving over the Atlantic, east of The Bahamas, and then strengthening into a hurricane.

A very distant ‘Emily’ had disorganized into a remnant low earlier today. Another even more distant tropical wave is still showing a high chance of development before tracking across the Atlantic. The next two names are Harold and Idalia, and we may see those names issued soon, Waldenberger said.

Update:

A Gulf disturbance has been designated a potential tropical cyclone.

That means the National Hurricane Center can give it a forecast cone before it fully develops.

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It is expected to become a tropical storm by the time it makes landfall Tuesday.

There could be a flooding threat for parts of South Texas and northern Mexico.


Earlier story:

Tropical Storm Franklin is one of several tropical systems being tracked Monday morning.

Franklin is forecast to move into Haiti and The Dominican Republic starting Tuesday.

Watch: Tropical Storm Hilary makes landfall in Southern California

Periods of heavy rain will be likely for Puerto Rico as well.

Forecast models show Franklin could bring devastating flooding to The Dominican Republic.

Tropical Storm Gert and Tropical Storm Emily are also continuing to move west through the Atlantic.

Read: Winter Park to give out sandbags to help prep for storm season

Though the tropics are very active, none of the tropical storms are expected to impact Florida.

Channel 9 meteorologists are also continuing to track a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that will slide into Texas.

Read: Tropical Storm Franklin strengthens after forming in Caribbean

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