A tropical depression formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday morning and forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center said it could strengthen to a tropical storm.

Tropical Depression Seven was located about 800 miles east of the Leeward Islands, and tropical storm watches could be issued later Wednesday, forecasters said.

"Interests in the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of this system," the agency said.

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At 11 a.m. EDT, the depression was moving at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of about 35 mph, forecasters said.

Hurricane

Hurricane Irma spread across a wide area that extends 50 miles from the center. Tropical Depression Seven is forming in the Atlantic Ocean and experts believe it may strengthen into a tropical storm. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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"On the forecast track, the center of the system is forecast to move through the Leeward Islands on Friday or Friday night and be near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend," the hurricane center advisory said.