National Hurricane Center issuing forecasts for Tropical Depression Thirteen after forming in the Caribbean

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A tropical disturbance skirting South America’s northern coast had forecasters’ attention at the National Hurricane Center. The latest update from the NHC states that the disturbance was developing a better-defined center and was forming large areas of convection. This disturbance now has sufficient circulation and organized convection to be designated as a tropical depression. This is the thirteenth tropical depression of the season and confidence is high that this could strengthen into the next named storm Julia, in the next day or so.

As of the evening update from the agency, here were the details on this potential tropical cyclone:

Location	Maximum Wind Speed	Movement	Minimum Central Pressure
60 miles west-southwest of Curacao	35 mph	west at 15 mph	1004mb

The tropical system is anticipated to strengthen into Tropical Storm Julia sometime early Friday as it pulls away from the northern tip of Colombia. As it moves west across the Southern Caribbean, the wind of Julia could further grow to form a weak Category 1 hurricane before moving inland over Central America Sunday afternoon or evening. There is high confidence in the future track of this tropical system.

After moving inland, the system is expected to weaken to tropical storm status over or near Honduras before downgrading to a remnant low as it moves into Southern Mexico. Residual moisture will move into mainland Mexico, pushed further west-northwest by the outer edge of a Gulf of Mexico high-pressure system. No impacts are expected for Texas or United States Gulf Coast.