Weather

The season's 12th named storm -- Tropical Storm Larry -- is expected to become a major hurricane, but it is forecast to stay over the open waters this holiday weekend.

The season's ninth named storm is likely to be a major hurricane before it makes landfall along the central Gulf coast some time on Sunday.

The strong tropical wave over the western Caribbean is now Tropical Depression 9. It is forecast to become a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend and pose a significant risk to the central Gulf coast late in the weekend.

A new tropical depression is likely to form late this week or weekend over the western Caribbean. Atmospheric conditions favor strengthening once it enters the southern or western Gulf of Mexico by Sunday.

The tropics are likely to take a break most of this week after Tropical Storm Henri's landfall in New England Sunday afternoon. That break is expected to be short-lived.

Forecasters say heavy rainfall from Grace could impact portions of Cuba, the Bahamas, and Florida by mid to late week — but the forecast uncertainty is much higher than usual.

Hazards such as heavy rain, potential flooding and possible tornadoes are still expected in south and southwest Florida, including the Keys and greater Miami from Fred.

Tropical Depression Fred is expected to regain tropical storm strength by the time it approaches Southwest Florida Friday night, and a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Gulf Coast from Bonita Beach south to the Florida Bay, including the entire Florida Keys.

Wind and surge impacts could vary greatly in some places depending on Fred's track, but the greatest hazard to most Floridians will be heavy rain and potential flooding.

The disturbance in the northeast Caribbean was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fred late Tuesday evening just south of Puerto Rico. The storm has the potential to affect a large portion of Florida this weekend with heavy rain and high winds, although the magnitude, location and timing of those impacts are still uncertain.