The National Hurricane Center says there is a high chance of tropical development in the coming days that could have a storm in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend.
"A broad area of low pressure is expected to form over the southwestern Caribbean Sea during the next day or so," the NHC advised. "Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week or over the weekend."
Federal forecasters expect the system strengthen and move into the Gulf of Mexico.
"The disturbance is expected to move near or across the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico on Saturday, and move into the western Gulf of Mexico by Sunday where conditions could be favorable for additional development to occur."
Models disagree on the eventual path with forecasts of a landfall anywhere from Mexico to Texas all the way over to Louisiana or Mississippi.
WWL TV Meteorologist Payton Malone says it is just too early to know what will happen.
"It is definitely something we need to watch through the weekend," he advised. "By Friday we are going to have a better idea, because it should have formed a center by Friday."
The Hurricane Center sets formation chance through 48 hours...medium...40 percent. Formation chance through 5 days...high...80 percent.
