A broad area of low pressure is expected to form over the western
Caribbean Sea during the next day or so from a tropical wave
currently located north of Colombia. Environmental conditions are
forecast to be conducive for development, and a tropical depression
or tropical storm is likely to form late this week or over the
weekend. The system is expected to move northwestward over the
northwestern Caribbean Sea and near or across the Yucatan Peninsula
of Mexico on Friday and into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend, where
conditions are expected to be favorable for additional development.
Regardless of development, heavy rainfall and flooding will be
possible through the weekend in portions of Central America and the
Yucatan Peninsula. In addition, this system could bring dangerous
impacts from storm surge, wind, and heavy rainfall to portions of
the coasts of Louisiana, Texas, and the Mexican state of Tamaulipas
late this weekend and early next week. However, uncertainty remains
large since the system has yet to form. Interests in these areas
should closely monitor the progress of this system and ensure they
have their hurricane plan in place. An Air Force Reserve
reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system
Thursday afternoon, if necessary.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...80 percent.