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Tropical depression headed to Florida Straits

As the depression tracks toward North Carolina, another tropical system will continue to be monitored for development in the Gulf of Mexico this week. Hurricane Gaston caused a moderate risk of rip currents along the coastline today from NY all the way to North Carolina. This rainfall may cause flooding and flash flooding.WIND: Gusts to tropical storm force are possible in a few squalls in the lower Florida Keys through tonight. The wave now has a 60 percent chance of becoming at least a tropical depression in the next five days.

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As of late Sunday afternoon, storm 99L was expected to remain 100 to 200 miles offshore as it passes Tampa Bay and drops 9 inches of rain in the Gulf, said Rodney Wynn, a forecaster for the National Weather Service. Gaston has sustained winds of 120 miles per hour.

This map Sunday from the National Hurricane Center shows activity in the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Depression Eight, Hurricane Gaston and Invest 99L (an X).

Before this storm (potentially) moves off the coast, Hampton Roads will be under a huge area of high pressure from the north. A turn toward the west-northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected on Monday followed by a turn toward the northwest on Tuesday.Maximum sustained winds are near 35 miles per hour (55 km/h) with higher gusts. A tropical storm watch may be issued for that area later today. The storm was located about 655 miles east southeast or Bermuda. The cyclone is expected to weaken and turn towards the east.

Tropical Depression 8 was expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Hermine by Monday and move westward toward North Carolina.

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In other weather developments, Hurricane Gaston turned northwest, gathering strength, but is heading off into the Atlantic Ocean, eliminating any threats to the USA coastline, he said. After brushing the outer banks, the storm is expected to curve back out into the Atlantic without the center making landfall. The Category 3 hurricane is now considered a threat only to ships at sea.

How will soon-to-be Hurricane Gaston affect Canada?