HOLT, Fla., July 29, 2020—Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is still expected to become Tropical Storm Isaias this evening or tonight according to the National Hurricane Center.

The system is clipping along west-northwest at 23 mph and is expected to continue that track for the next couple of days.

The system is forecast to pass south of Puerto Rico later tonight, near or over Hispaniola Thursday, near eastern Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas Friday and approach the northwestern Bahamas and southern Florida Friday night.

Some weakening is expected once it makes landfall on Hispaniola Thursday morning.

The system is likely to take some time to recover after passing over the island, but only gradual strengthening is expected at that time, according to the NHC.

For now, the hurricane center is forecasting the system to remain a tropical storm when it gets to Florida.

The details of the long-range track and intensity forecasts as well as location or magnitude of impacts to Florida remain more uncertain than usual since the system does not have a well-defined center, according to the NHC.