Tropical Depression 4 officially became Tropical Storm Cristobal on Sunday morning as it moved over the Bahamas. It's the third named storm of the season.

See the latest tropical advisory below.

______________________________

Tropical Storm Cristobal Advisory

6:20 a.m. — Tropical Depression Four is expected to strengthen today.

Watches and Warnings

Changes with this advisory: None.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the following areas:

*Southeastern Bahamas, including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands, as well as for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
*Central Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador

Interests in the northwestern Bahamas should monitor the progress of this system. A tropical storm watch could be required for this area later today.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 5 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression 4 was located near latitude 22.9 north, longitude 73.3 west. The depression is moving toward the northwest near 9 mph. A northwestward motion is expected to continue this morning, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest and a decrease in forward speed later today and Monday. On the forecast track, the center of the depression will move near or over portions of the central Bahamas through Monday.

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds remain near 45 mph, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm today.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb, or 29.59 inches.

Hazards affecting land

Rainfall: The depression is expected to produce rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches over the southeastern Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the central Bahamas through Tuesday, with isolated amounts around 12 inches possible. Storm total rainfall amounts of up to 12 inches are possible in portions of Hispaniola, where these rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides — especially in the areas of mountainous terrain.

Wind: Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread northward across the warning area through tonight.

Next advisory

Intermediate advisory: 8 a.m.
Complete advisory: 11 a.m.