Tropical Depression Nine likely to become a tropical storm: NHC

Two Tropical Depressions are shown over the Gulf of Mexico and along the Carolina coast of the United States in this GOES East satellite image captured August 31, 2016. NOAA/Handout via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Tropical Depression Nine, headed toward Florida gulf coast, is expected to become a tropical storm later on Wednesday, U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The system, located about 420 miles (675 KM) west south-west of Tampa Florida with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour (55 kmph), could be near hurricane strength by the time landfall occurs, the NHC added. (Reporting by Eileen Soreng in Bengaluru)