Early computer models took it west for a few days, and it could follow the path of the other storm in front of it — Tropical Storm Kirk — which ended up on a northern track that would keep it far from land. Kirk is also expected to become a major Category 3 hurricane as soon as Thursday.

Hurricane Watches have been issued for parts of Florida, including Tampa, as the U.S. Gulf Coast prepares for significant impacts from Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which will likely become