Tropical Storm Sally forecast to strengthen, slow down before impact in northern Gulf Coast

ORLANDO. Fla. — 8 p.m. update:

Tropical Storm Sally winds increased to 60 mph Sunday evening, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Sally is forecast to strengthen and slow down while moving toward southeast Louisiana late Monday night.

Watch the latest forecast for Tropical Storm Sally here:

Watches are active for storm surge and flooding rain threat for the northern Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Paulette’s rain bands are already bringing heavy rain and tropical storm-force winds to Bermuda.

Tropical Depression Sally: What you need to know (NCD)

The NHC is also watching Tropical Depression 20 which is forecast to strengthen to a major hurricane over the central Atlantic by the middle of the week.

A new tropical depression may form northeast of TD20.

2 p.m. update:

Hurricane Paulette is forecast to move near Bermuda on Sunday night and into Monday.

Tropical Storm Sally should strengthen to hurricane status before moving over the southeast Louisiana and Mississippi coasts Monday night and into Tuesday.

Sally may bring up to 11 feet of storm surge east of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The storm is forecast to bring more than 20 inches of rain in spots and a moderate risk of flash flooding for parts on the north Gulf Coast.

There is a total of seven tropical systems being tracked in the Atlantic, including one hurricane, one tropical storm, two tropical depressions and three disorganized disturbances.

Original report:

Tropical Storm Sally continues to move slowly away from Florida, dumping lots of rainfall down near Ft Myers.

Sally is expected to strengthen into a category 2 hurricane before making landfall along the Louisiana and Mississippi coast. Heavy rain can be expected in and around New Orleans due to its slow movement.

Read: Paulette becomes a hurricane; Tropical Storm Sally forecast to strengthen in the Gulf

Keeping an eye on the tropics, Hurricane Paulette, Tropical Depression Rene and Tropical Depression 20 look to all stay away from us as we head through this upcoming week.

We will continue to monitor the evolution of everything that happens in the tropics and bring you the latest on Eyewitness News, on our Eye on the Tropics section, and on our free WFTV Weather App.

Cox Media Group