A tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to become a tropical storm later Saturday or Saturday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The system is expected to strengthen over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, and watches and warnings have been issued for portions of Florida.

As of 11 a.m., it was about 125 miles south of Key West with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph. A turn toward the northwest is forecast today, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastward motion Sunday night and Monday. On the forecast track, the center of the depression will move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico later today and Sunday,reaching the Florida Gulf coast late Sunday or Monday.

Slow strengthening is expected today and tonight, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm tonight.  A faster rate of strengthening is expected Sunday through Monday, and the system could be near hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf coast.