Nate downgraded to tropical depression

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Nate weakened to a tropical depression Sunday morning as it spread heavy rainfall in Gulf Coast states, the National Hurricane Center said.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, the NHC said Nate was located about 40 miles southwest of Birmingham, Ala. It's moving north-northeast at 24 mph.

The NHC said Tropical Depression Nate was "rapidly weakening," though heavy rainfall was a problem in the region.

Nate had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The storm has been deadly in parts of Central America, killing at least 22 people in floods and mudslides.

The NHC discontinued all watches and warnings associated with the storm.

"A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days," the NHC said. "On the forecast track, Nate's center will continue to move inland across the Deep South, Tennessee Valley and central Appalachian Mountains through Monday."

The NHC forecasts Nate will degenerate into a remnant low by late Monday.

Including Nate, there have been 13 tropical storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes so far this season.