Weather Forecast: Tropical Storm Tracker—Latest Path, Timing & Impact Updates

Residents along the Southeast U.S. coastline are on alert this weekend as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine edges closer to gaining a name—Tropical Storm Imelda—and threatens to bring heavy rain, coastal flooding, and strong winds from Florida to the Carolinas early next week. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported early Saturday that the disturbance, now sitting near eastern Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas with sustained winds of 35 mph, is expected to strengthen to tropical-storm status within 24 hours. Once winds reach 40 mph, the system will officially become Tropical Storm Imelda, the ninth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Forecast track and timing • Current NHC cones show the developing storm paralleling Florida’s Atlantic coast through Sunday. • By Monday night, steering currents could shift, sending the system either east into the open Atlantic or west toward a landfall anywhere from coastal Georgia to North Carolina. • Several computer models indicate hurricane strength is possible just offshore before any U.S. encounter, driven by bath-warm Gulf Stream waters. Watches and warnings • Tropical Storm Warnings: Central Bahamas • Tropical Storm Watches: Northwestern Bahamas • Hurricane Hunters have flown multiple reconnaissance missions, feeding real-time wind and pressure data into forecast models for greater accuracy. States of emergency and local preparations South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued a pre-emptive state of emergency Friday night, activating the state’s hurricane plan and positioning National Guard assets for a potential mid-week impact. Municipalities such as Charleston and Conway have deployed storm-water pumps, lowered lake levels, and distributed sandbags. Duke Energy is staging repair crews across its North Carolina service area to address possible power outages. Potential impacts Flood-prone zones from Savannah to Wilmington should prepare for 4–8 inches of rainfall, with localized totals exceeding 10 inches under persistent rainbands. Storm surge of 2–4 feet could inundate low-lying coastal and barrier-island communities if the cyclone makes a northwest jog toward land. Rip currents and dangerous surf will precede the core of the storm all weekend along Atlantic beaches. Complicating the forecast is nearby Hurricane Humberto, well east of Bermuda, which is tugging on steering currents and adding uncertainty to Imelda’s exact path. Forecasters caution that track errors of 150 miles or more are common at four-day lead times; coastal residents should monitor official updates every six hours. Preparedness checklist • Review evacuation routes and shelter locations now; do not wait for a last-minute order. • Secure outdoor furniture, boats, and loose objects today while weather is still favorable. • Stock a minimum three-day supply of water, food, medications, and batteries. • Charge mobile devices and test generators; carbon-monoxide detectors should have fresh batteries. • Stay informed via NOAA Weather Radio, local emergency alerts, or the NHC website. Looking ahead If Imelda follows the left-turn scenario, tropical-storm conditions could arrive along Georgia’s coast late Monday night, then sweep northward into the Carolinas Tuesday and Wednesday. A right-turn out to sea would spare the mainland but still lash the Outer Banks with high surf and minor beach erosion. Either outcome will feed deep tropical moisture into the southern Mid-Atlantic, elevating flash-flood risk through mid-week. The next full advisory from the National Hurricane Center is scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT. Coastal residents and travelers should continue checking official guidance and finalize storm preparations today.