The National Hurricane Center forecasts a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico this week, with the system losing strength a approaching the Gulf Coast next weekend.
Forecasters are calling the system Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen.
At 3:00pm Central Time today the NHC said the disturbance was centered between Colombia and Jamaica.
"A turn to the north and then northwest is expected over the next few days. On the forecast track, the system is expected to move near Jamaica by late Monday and near or over the Cayman Islands Tuesday and Wednesday."
As of this afternoon, maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph.
"This system is expected to become a tropical depression tonight and steady strengthening is forecast."
It is expected to become a hurricane near Cuba Wednesday, then move into the Gulf.
Currently the cone of error for a landfall late Friday or early Saturday includes Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana as a tropical storm.
WWL TV Meteorologist Brooke Laizer says, "At this point in hurricane season, there is stronger wind shear, drier air, and slightly cooler ocean temperatures to consider. All of these factors would help limit 'big time' strengthening."
The next name on the list is Rafael.