A rapidly developing tropical system is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda this weekend as it approaches the southeastern U.S., the National Hurricane Center said Saturday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is currently located northwest of Cuba, moving northwest at 7 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

The system is forecast to become a tropical storm this weekend and potentially strengthen to Hurricane Imelda by late Monday.

The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm warnings for the central and northwestern Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, New Providence, and Grand Bahama Island.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in these areas beginning Saturday night and Sunday.

The system is predicted to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain in the Bahama

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