Hurricane Watch issued for Gulf Coast

The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch for the Florida Gulf coast from the Anclote River to Indian Pass. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Florida Gulf coast west of Indian Pass to the Walton/Bay County line.

At 5:00 AM EDT the center of Tropical Depression Nine was located about 345 miles west of Key West. The depression is moving toward the northwest at 7 mph. The system is expected to begin to turn to the north later today and to the northeast tomorrow.

Data from a NOAA reconnaissance aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Hurricane conditions are possible over portions of the Hurricane Watch area by Thursday afternoon. Tropical storm conditions are possible over portions of the Tropical Storm Watch

area by Thursday afternoon.

The National Hurricane Center will be issue an update at 11:00 AM EDT.