MIAMI - Hurricane watches have been posted in the big bend and panhandle regions of Florida as tropical depression nine approaches the coast. The National Hurricane Center forecast calls for steady intensification during the next day or so.

The new forecast has required the issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning for a portion of the Florida Gulf coast. The Hurricane Watch remains in effect since there is still a possibility that the system could become a hurricane before landfall. It is important not to focus on the forecast landfall point of this system. Among other reasons, dangerous storm surge flooding is likely along the coast well to the east and south of the path of the center.

The depression has been meandering overnight, but is expected to begin a northward or northeastward motion later today. A deepening trough over the southeastern United States should cause the tropical cyclone to accelerate north-northeastward or northeastward by tonight.

Although the track guidance is in good agreement on this scenario, the model envelope has shifted slightly westward this cycle, and the NHC forecast track has been nudged in that direction.