New tropical depression forms off U.S. East Coast

WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) - The third tropical depression of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season formed just off the U.S. East Coast on Friday and appeared likely to move parallel to the shoreline in a northeasterly direction, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

The system was located off the coast of South Carolina about 65 miles (105 km) south-southeast of the city of Charleston. It had top sustained winds near 30 mph (45 kph).

The Miami-based center said some strengthening in the depression was forecast and it is expected to become a tropical storm on Saturday.

If the depression does strengthen into a tropical storm, with winds of at last 39 mph (64 kph), it would be called Cristobal. (Reporting by Chris Wilson)