ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Potential Tropical Cyclone Seven has formed in the southern Bahamas.

  • Potential Tropical Cyclone 7 forms
  • Maximum sustained winds of 30 mph
  • Expected to become tropical depression by Labor Day
  • TRACKING THE TROPICS: Forecasts, spaghetti models

The system is about 275 miles east-southeast of Marathon, Florida.

It has maximum sustained winds of 30 mph and is moving to the west-northwest at 15 mph.

The tropical wave to our southeast is likely to become a tropical depression tonight.

It will pass by south of Florida and may become a tropical storm as it emerges into the Gulf. It will be into the southern Gulf Monday night. There it will be in a more favorable atmosphere for development.

It will continue to move away from Florida possibly as a tropical storm. It is likely to make landfall on the northern Gulf Coast Tuesday.

Our forecast will continue to be the same as we have been forecasting for days. It will be breezy with a 70 percent chance of showers and storms. Rounds of storms will move from east to west very quickly across the area. Rain may begin around midday. Shower and storm chances will continue through Monday evening.  Any storms can bring strong gusty winds as they move through.