The National Hurricane Center says what was a tropical depression in the Gulf strengthened into Tropical Storm Humberto Friday night.
"Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph," the advisory outlined. "Gradual strengthening is forecast, and Humberto is expected to become a hurricane in two or three days."
The Bahamas are bracing for another hit on the heels of Hurricane Dorian devastating much of the island chain.
"On the forecast track, the system is anticipated to move very near the northwestern Bahamas on Saturday, and offshore of the east coast of Florida this weekend and early next week."