In a hurry? Here’s what you need to know about Tropical Storm Imelda in less than a minute.
Tropical Storm Imelda, moving slowly north off Florida’s coast, is expected to become a hurricane Tuesday, Sept. 30, according to the National Hurricane Center.
While Imelda is expected to remain offshore, indirect impacts to Florida and the eastern coast of the United States are forecast, including life-threatening rip currents and rough surf.
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Tropical storm conditions are expected for portions of the Bahamas Monday, Sept. 29.
Highlights on what Tropical Storm Imelda is doing now
Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Location: 60 miles south of Great Abaco Island; 201 miles east of West Palm Beach
Maximum sustained winds: 45 mph
Tropical Storm Imelda spaghetti models, path
Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
What to know about Tropical Storm Imelda
At 5 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Imelda was located near latitude 25.5 North, longitude 77.1 West.
Imelda is moving toward the north near 8 mph, and a generally northward motion is expected to continue today. On Tuesday, Imelda is expected to turn sharply to the east-northeast.
On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move across the northwestern Bahamas today and then turn east-northeastward, moving away from the southeastern U.S. by the middle part of this week.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph, with higher gusts.
Gradual strengthening is forecast and Imelda could become a hurricane on Tuesday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles, primarily east of the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 996 mb.
Is there a hurricane coming toward Florida?
No. While Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to strengthen into a hurricane, the storm is forecast to remain east of Florida and the U.S.
What impacts will Tropical Storm Imelda have on Florida?
Expected impacts to Florida and the southeastern U.S. from Tropical Storm Imelda as of Sept. 29, 2025.
Storm total rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected through Tuesday across northeast Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center. Some areas could see up to 4 inches.
Storm surge from the Volusia/Brevard County line in Florida to the South Santee River in South Carolina could be 1 to 2 feet.
Swells generated by Imelda are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
The National Weather Service said coastal residents can expect:
A high risk for life-threatening rip currents.
Surf heights of 6 to 10 feet north of Cape Canaveral and 4 to 8 feet south.
Nearshore seas of 10 to 13 feet north of Cape Canaveral and 8 to 11 feet south of the Cape. Seas could be 11 to 18 feet offshore.
High risk for rip currents
Scattered showers with isolated storms
Dangerous beach conditions
See map of hurricane/tropical storm watches, warnings issued for Florida, US
Florida weather radar for Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, with Tropical Storm Imelda offshore
Excessive rainfall forecast across Florida
Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Tropical Storm Imelda
Imelda is expected to continue to bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the northwestern Bahamas today.
Rainfall associated with Imelda will continue to impact eastern Cuba and the Bahamas through Tuesday, which will likely produce flash and urban flooding. Mudslides are possible in the higher terrain. Heavy rainfall across the coastal Carolinas could cause isolated flash and urban flooding through Tuesday.
Residents in Bermuda should monitor the progress of Imelda as a Hurricane Watch could be required late today.
Swells and high surf from both Humberto and Imelda are expected to produce dangerous marine conditions and rip currents along the east coast of Florida and the Georgia coast today. These conditions are expected to spread northward along much of the east coast of the United States early this week.
Current forecast: Tropical Storm Imelda forecast to become hurricane
What impact could Tropical Storm Imelda have and what areas could be affected?
Wind: Tropical storm conditions are occurring in portions of the northwestern Bahamas and should continue through today.
Storm surge: A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above ground level along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds in the northwestern Bahamas. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large waves.
Minor coastal flooding is possible in areas of onshore winds over the Southeastern U.S. coastline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the surge occurs over the next several high tide cycles:
Volusia/Brevard County Line, Florida to the South Santee River, South Carolina: 1 to 2 feet
Rainfall: Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to produce additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches across eastern Cuba and 4 to 8 inches across the northwest Bahamas through Tuesday. This rainfall will likely produce flash and urban flooding. Mudslides are also possible in areas of higher terrain across eastern Cuba.
Storm total rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches with local maxima of 4 inches are expected through Tuesday across northeast Florida, coastal South Carolina, and coastal sections of southeast North Carolina. This rainfall could result in isolated flash and urban flooding.
Surf: Swells generated by Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane Humberto are affecting the Bahamas and will spread to much of the east coast of the U.S. early this week.
Forecasters urge all residents to keep an eye on the tropics and to always be prepared
Officials regularly encourage Florida residents to prepare for storms before a hurricane is approaching, while shelves are fully stocked and you aren’t battling crowds all rushing to the store at the same time.
“It only takes one storm to make it an impactful year for your community,” the National Hurricane Center Miami posted on X.
➤ See list of emergency supplies you can now buy tax free
On Aug. 1, specific hurricane supplies became permanently tax-free in Florida, ranging from batteries to generators.
➤ Don’t have a hurricane supply kit? From the basics to the extras, here’s what you need
Here are some of the basics you should have:
Two-week supply of medications
A go-bag with essential supplies in case you need to leave quickly
Portable cellphone chargers
List of emergency phone numbers, including those for family members
Copy of your insurance policy
When does hurricane season end?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and the newly renamed Gulf of America, formerly the Gulf of Mexico.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tropical Storm Imelda storm tracker, spaghetti models. Florida impacts