Portions of Florida's east coast could see tropical-storm-force winds over the weekend as Tropical Storm Humberto is expected to form, possibly tomorrow. The National Hurricane Center's 5 a.m. EDT update follows: The disturbance was centered near latitude 24.6 North, longitude 75.2 West. The system is moving toward the northwest near 6 mph (9 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue with some increase in forward speed through the weekend. On the forecast track, the system is anticipated to move across the central and northwestern Bahamas today, and along or over the east coast of Florida Saturday and Saturday night. Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and the disturbance is forecast to become a tropical depression or a tropical storm during the next day or so. Environmental conditions are favorable for a tropical depression or tropical storm to form within the next day or two. * Formation chance through 48 hours...high...80 percent * Formation chance through 5 days...high...90 percent The estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 mb (29.80 inches).
