Tropical depression nears South Florida

MIAMI — A tropical depression that’s expected to become Tropical Storm Nicole neared South Florida on Tuesday, with officials predicting that it will bring heavy rain along with winds of 40 to 50 mph.

National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read says rainfall could reach eight inches in some spots as the system blows through Wednesday, causing localized flooding.

He predicts that the winds will be between 40 and 50 mph and doesn’t think it will come close to reaching hurricane wind speeds of 74 mph.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for the Florida Keys, Florida Bay and from the southern tip of the peninsula through Palm Beach County. The storm was moving north-northeast at 10 mph.