A tropical depression is expected to form in the southwestern Gulf within the next day or so, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The system, designated AL92, had a 90% chance of development within both 48 hours and seven days in the NHC’s Tuesday morning outlook.
Forecasters said showers and thunderstorms were becoming better organized around a broad area of low pressure.
The disturbance is expected to move east before turning north or northeast toward the northern Gulf Coast later this week.
The National Hurricane Center said it is too early to determine specific impacts, but residents from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle should monitor the system.
NOAA aircraft are scheduled to gather additional atmospheric data, and an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft is expected to investigate the disturbance.
