Miami, Fl.(Florida News Network) At 700 PM EST, the center of Tropical Depression Eta was located near latitude 16.0 North, longitude 87.8 West.
The depression is moving toward the north-northwest near 8 mph (13 km/h), and a turn toward the north is forecast during the next several hours. A turn toward the northeast is expected on Friday, with this motion continuing through Saturday night. On the forecast track, the center of Eta will be over the western Caribbean Sea through Friday, approach the Cayman Islands Saturday and Saturday night, and be near Cuba on Sunday.
Eta is forecast to bring showers and thunderstorms to south Florida early next week, including isolated rain fall amounts of 5 to 10 inches now through Monday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph over water, with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast, and Eta is expected to re-gain tropical storm strength on Friday.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for The Cayman Islands. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the Cayman Islands Saturday or Saturday night.
The estimated minimum central pressure based on nearby surface observations is 1004 mb (29.65 inches).
Data and graphic credit: National Hurricane Center