HOLT, Fla., Sept. 12, 2020—Tropical Depression 19 made it through the night without strengthening to a tropical storm.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the system was close to tropical storm strength when it moved ashore in the Miami-Dade County area last night.

Strengthening is expected when the center moves over the Gulf of Mexico where there’s low wind shear and warm gulf waters.

The depression is expected to become Tropical Storm Sally later today or tonight and strengthen to near hurricane intensity by early next week as it moves across the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, according to the NHC.

Tropical storm conditions are possible by Sunday night in portions of the Florida panhandle.

Watches have been issued for the Ochlockonee River to Okaloosa/Walton County Line.

No watches or warnings have been posted for this area as of the NHC’s 8 a.m. EDT update.

Dangerous impacts from storm surge, wind and heavy rainfall will be possible along the Gulf coast from the Florida panhandle to southeastern Louisiana late this weekend and early next week.

National Hurricane Center forecast