Tropical depression forms off Florida coast

System could become hurricane as it nears Carolinas

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – A tropical depression formed Monday night off the coast of Florida and is poised to become the first tropical storm of the 2014 hurricane season.

The depression was located a little more than 130 miles north-northeast of Miami with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. It was moving southwest at 2 mph.

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"So really it is a slow mover, but already we're starting to feel some of those impacts," Local 10 meteorologist Betty Davis said.

Computer models have it drifting towards the east coast of Florida before taking a turn to the northeast.

Local 10 hurricane specialist Max Mayfield said it "could become a very strong storm, possibly even a hurricane," as it gets closer to the Carolinas.

Although the system is not directly expected to impact South Florida, it will likely bring heavy rain to the region.

"We cannot rule out some pockets of heavier rainfall here," Davis said.

Click here for local radar, forecast and conditions.