10:54 a.m. EDT, August 29, 2011
Tropical Depression 12 emerged in the far eastern Atlantic on Monday morning, and it's already forecast to strengthen into a strong hurricane within the next week.
More immediately, the system likely will grow into Tropical Storm Katia later today.
For now, the system is forecast to aim generally toward the Lesser Antilles. Some models hint that it might turn north out to sea without approaching the U.S. coast. However, it's too early to put faith in that prediction.
If the depression does strengthen into Katia, it would become the 11th named storm and put the season almost three months ahead of schedule. On average, the 11th named storm doesn't emerge until Nov. 23.