The National Hurricane Center says hurricane and storm surge watches have been issued for parts of Florida's Gulf Coast, including the Tampa Bay area, ahead of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine which is expected to become the season's next named hurricane. Hurricane Hunters are investigating the disturbance Tuesday morning. Sometime today, PTC 9 is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm, which will be called Helene. The NHC issued a cone Monday showing where forecast models expect the system to move. The Tampa Bay area is within the cone of uncertainty. PTC 9 is expected to "strengthen significantly" over the next few days, becoming a hurricane by Wednesday. As of the latest advisory, PTC 9 is about 150 miles west of Grand Cayman. It's moving northwest at 9 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/weather/tropics/helene-tropical-storm-hurricane-track-cone-forecast-florida/67-8ada2c2d-0652-478c-bce5-62080ddc23b9