RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on tropical weather systems developing near the southeast (all times local):
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11:20 a.m.
Businesses on North Carolina’s Outer Banks are warily watching tropical weather systems that could rain out one of the last busy weeks of the summer tourist season.
As of 11 a.m. Monday, a tropical depression was about 300 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras’ beaches and moving to the northeast. Forecasters expect it to become a tropical storm before brushing the North Carolina coast Tuesday.
In the Gulf of Mexico, another tropical depression was churning about 170 miles west of Key West. Forecasters expect it to become a tropical storm that could move northeast across northern Florida, cross land and head up the Atlantic coast toward the end of the week.
In North Carolina, Jennifer Scarborough is the manager of a marina in Hatteras. She says that some captains are canceling or rescheduling fishing trips. She fears the first storm could saturate the area and the second storm could bring another blow if it comes their way.
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5:25 a.m.
A tropical depression that formed in the Florida Straits is moving into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. National Hurricane Center says it could soon become a tropical storm.
The depression’s maximum sustained winds early Monday are near 35 mph (55 kph) with some strengthening expected during the next two days. Forecasters say it could become a tropical storm later in the day or overnight.
Meanwhile, another tropical depression that formed west of Bermuda is moving toward the coast of North Carolina. That depression is expected to become a tropical storm overnight and threatens to bring wind and rain to eastern North Carolina.
Farther east, Hurricane Gaston has weakened a little as it drifts northward in the middle of the Atlantic.