Tropical Depression Could Bring Heavy Rain to North Carolina

This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, Aug.28, 2016, at 9:45 AM EDT shows a developing line of showers and storms forming across the Great Lakes, through the Midwest and into the Central Plains due to a frontal boundary. Look for these storms to intensify during the afternoon hours. Scattered showers and storms continue for areas along the Gulf Coast due to an area of low pressure, while isolated showers and storms can be seen peppered across the Southeast. Tropical Depression Eight can be seen off the coast of South Carolina. This system is expected to strengthen to Tropical Storm strength winds, and slowly move towards the Outer Banks. Weather Underground via AP

MIAMI—Forecasters say a tropical depression has formed in the Atlantic west of Bermuda, bringing the possibility of heavy rain to the coast of North Carolina early this week.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says the depression is located about 355 mph (570 kph) southeast of Cape Hatteras and is moving west at 9 mph. Maximum sustained winds were clocking at 35 mph (55 kph), with higher gusts.

The storm’s center is expected to pass offshore of the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Tuesday.

Separately, Hurricane Gaston is gathering strength as it moves northwestward in the Atlantic, but forecasters say it poses no threat to land. The center says Gaston reformed as a hurricane Saturday night.

On Sunday, Gaston was clocking maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) winds. The storm was located about 580 miles (935 kilometers) east of Bermuda. Gaston was moving northwest at about 5 mph (7 kph).

Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 25 miles (35 kilometers) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 kilometers).

Forecasters say Gaston could strengthen in the next day but poses no threat to land.