Tropical storm Fred developed off the coast of Puerto Rico late Tuesday, and it was reported heading to the Caribbean region and the southern U.S.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Fred, which became the sixth named storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, was observed to gain some strength on Tuesday night, with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.

The storm was about 45 miles south-southwest of Ponce, Puerto Rico, as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.

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The NHC noted that some strengthening is possible before Fred reaches the eastern Dominican Republic on Wednesday morning.

The said weather disturbance is expected to traverse west near Puerto Rico to Hispanola on the same day. Haiti and the Bahamas could also get hit by the storm by Wednesday.

Based on the latest forecast, the NHC said the center of Fred is expected to be near or over Hispaniola later Wednesday and will move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas on Thursday. Storm conditions were expected in the said islands by late Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Warnings Issued Following Fred's Formation

As of 2 a.m. Wednesday, the NHC said tropical storm warnings were in effect for Puerto Rico, including Culebra and Vieques, parts of the Dominican Republic, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Tropical storm watches include the Turks and Caicos Islands, Haiti from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to Gonaives, and southeastern Bahamas.

The NHC said that a tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area within the next 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Traverses Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Before it Heads to the U.S.

As Fred continues to gain strength, the tropical storm brought heavy rains in the northern Caribbean late Tuesday. Dangerous surf and rip currents are also affecting the Caribbean and will continue within the warning and watch areas.

According to reports, the storm would bring flooding rainfall to parts of the Caribbean throughout the middle of the week. 

In Puerto Rico, the tropical storm already caused power outages. Luma, the company responsible for distributing electricity, warned those who use energy for life-saving devices to activate emergency plans, as the company confirmed that the country's energy system continued to be "fragile."

Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said he would not minimize the impact of tropical storm Fred, adding that they expect a lot of rain. Meanwhile, at least eight shelters opened across the island. However, only seven people were reported to check-in by mid-evening on Tuesday.

CNN meteorologist Chad Meyers underscored that the storm would affect Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic in the next few days but will likely not gain strength. However, Meyers pointed out that plenty of warm water would be available for the storm that could make it stronger after that.

Fred was predicted to reach South Florida by Friday, potentially making landfall in the Florida Keys.

However, forecasters noted that it was still early to determine the exact track of tropical storm Fred. Hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski explained that Fred could reach Florida once the high-pressure area weakens, allowing the system to turn to the north.

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Not-year-Tropical Storm Fred Weather Forecast - From FOX 13 Tampa Bay