ORLANDO, Fla. – A messy cluster of thunderstorms in the southwest Gulf might turn into a tropical system next week.
As of the Sunday 8 a.m. update, the National Hurricane Center has marked Invest 91L and the nearby area in the Bay of Campeche with a high chance of developing into a tropical depression on Sunday or Monday.
Watches could be issued to parts of the western Gulf of Mexico today or tonight.
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A front moving south into the northern Gulf of Mexico is likely to interact with the tropical wave, leading to the formation of a tropical depression in the next 48 hours as the system moves north.
Tropical models show that impacts are possible along the coasts of Mexico, Texas and Louisiana. Heavy rainfall is expected along the Gulf Coast, adding to the already saturated areas.
If a tropical storm forms, it will be named Francine. Many factors will still influence its strength and path.
There are two other waves the Pinpoint Weather team are monitoring. Both have a medium chance for tropical development in the next several days. The next names are Gordon and Helen.
Sept. 10 marks the peak of hurricane season, which runs through November.
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