Tropical Storm Noel Could Become a Minimal Hurricane Near Florida

Late season Tropical Storm Noel continues to move slowly through the Caribbean and may strengthen to hurricane status just offshore from Miami:

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The latest projected path for Noel shows the storm system moving near South Florida as a possible Category 1 hurricane.

"Noel is going to make its closest approach to Florida during the day Wednesday," Local 6 meteorologist Larry Mowry said. "At (the storm's) closest approached to Florida, it could be just 50 miles offshore of Miami."

The storm is expected to turn to the northwest Tuesday and then curve to the north early Wednesday as it gets picked up by a cold front to the north.

"Just how close it gets to South Florida will all be determined by how fast a cold front picks up the storm and lifts it to the north and to the east," Mowry said. "At this point, it does not appear it will come on shore."

Most of the winds were expected to stay on the north and east side of the storm and away from Florida.

Some Central Florida coastal counties can expect significant beach erosion and wind gusts of up to 45 mph.

The worst of the weather is expected to be in the Bahamas.

It looks like the storm will be clear of the Bahamas by the time my sister's Disney cruise ship arrives at the Disney private island Castaway Cay on Friday, but I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be a rather bumpy ride and the island may take somewhat of a beating in the storm.

Here's the latest track map.

UPDATE: Noel hits the Bahamas.