MIAMI (BNO NEWS) -- A tropical storm watch was issued on Saturday afternoon after tropical depression Nine-E formed off the southern coast of Mexico, meteorologists said.

Tropical depression Nine-E formed just before 2.00 p.m. PDT (2100 GMT) and was located about 335 kilometers (210 miles) southeast of Salina Cruz, a port in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

The Miami-based center said tropical depression Nine-E is moving toward the west at a speed of approximately 4 kilometers (2 miles) per hour. "A slow westward motion is expected for the next couple of days, and on the forecast track the depression will be moving parallel to the coast of southern Mexico," said forecaster Brennan.

Maximum sustained winds are currently near 30 miles (45 kilometers) per hour, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. "The depression could become a tropical storm tonight or Sunday," Brennan added.

The Mexican government immediately issued a tropical storm watch for the southern coast of Mexico from Salina Cruz westward to Lagunas de Chacahua, a national park located in the same state.

If the depression eventually does develop into a tropical storm, it will be given the name Frank. It would be the sixth tropical storm of the 2010 Eastern Pacific hurricane season.

Meanwhile, tropical depression Eight-E is located about 320 kilometers (200 miles) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, also in Mexico. It does not pose a threat to land as it is moving toward the west-northwest at a speed of 11 kilometers (7 miles) per hour.

"The depression is likely to weaken to a remnant low by tonight or Sunday and dissipate by Monday, said Brennan.

Also on Saturday, tropical depression Six formed over the central Atlantic and is expected to become a hurricane by Monday. The storm formed about 580 miles (935 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands at around 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

Forecasters said maximum sustained winds are currently near 30 miles per hour (45 kilometers per hour) with higher gusts. "Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and the depression could become a tropical storm tonight or tomorrow," said forecaster Blake. "And a hurricane by Monday."

The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 miles (15 kilometers) per hour. "This general motion within an increase in forward speed is expected for the next several days," Blake said.

Unofficial intensity forecast models show that the storm could eventually strengthen into a category three hurricane and is currently on course for the British overseas territory of Bermuda. However, the storm may still change course and eventually miss the island completely.

When the depression strengthens into a tropical storm, which is almost certain, it will be given the name Danielle. It would be the first time since 2004 that a tropical storm was named Danielle. In August 2004, Category 2 hurricane Danielle formed in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean but never affected land.

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