ORLANDO, Fla. -- The latest computer models showing the projected path of Tropical Storm Rita moves the storm west on a path toward South Florida during the next few days, according to Local 6 News meteorologist Michele Cimino.

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Thousands of tourists jammed the highways Sunday after they were told to evacuate the lower Florida Keys because Tropical Storm Rita developed over the Bahamas and moved toward the vulnerable, low-lying island chain.

Long-term forecasts had the system moving into the Gulf of Mexico late in the week as a hurricane, unwanted news for those still recovering from the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina. But forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami said it was too soon to tell exactly where it would go.

"Look at the cone of projected movement," Cimino said. "If you shift the path to the north and then all of the sudden we are included in some of those bands of rain that we don't want to be included in. So, we are going to be watching this very closely to see where this storm positions itself and where in the state it crosses over."

The 18th depression of the Atlantic hurricane season developed east of the Turks and Caicos Islands late Saturday. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said people in South Florida, the Florida Keys and central and western Cuba should closely monitor the system's progress.

At 5 p.m, the center of Tropical Storm Rita was located near latitude 22.2 north, longitude 72.7 west or about 355 miles, 570 km, east-southeast of nassau.

The government of the Bahamas issued a tropical storm warning for the Turks and Caicos and for the southeast and central Bahamas. A hurricane watch also was issued for the northwest Bahamas.

Tropical systems get a name when their sustained winds reach 39 mph. The depression would be named Tropical Storm Rita if it strengthens into the 17th named storm of the season.

Philippe formed late Saturday well east of the Lesser Antilles in the Atlantic. At 5 a.m., Philippe had maximum sustained winds near 45 mph, up 5 mph from Saturday It was centered about 455 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands and was moving to the northwest near 5 mph.

Sunday, Philippe had maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and was located about 455 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Isalnds. It was moving to the northwest near 5 mph.

"Things are getting a little crazy out there and a lot of it is very close to home," Cimino said.

Third System Brewing

The National Hurricane Center is tracking another system today in the deep Atlantic.

An area of disturbed weather is located about 850 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.

Forecasters say this system has some potential for development as it moves westward to west- northwestward over the next couple of days.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.