National Hurricane Center Says Tropical Depression Likely In Gulf By End Of Week

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — A tropical depression is likely to form in the Gulf of Mexico by the end of the week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters at the NHC say a trough of low pressure over central Georgia is forecast to move southward toward the northeastern Gulf where a broad area of low pressure will form in a couple of days.

Wind shear is low, waters are warm, and there is the likelihood a tropical depression could form over the northern or northeast Gulf by later in the week.  If that happens, it'll be named Barry.

After that, almost all models have come into agreement the system will move west toward the Texas or Louisiana coast, according to CBS4 Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer.

With the anticipated west movement of the system, there's only a low chance for indirect impacts here.  If the system somehow moves east toward Tampa or the west coast of Florida, South Florida could be impacted by increased rain.

The system has the potential to bring heavy rain along the northern and eastern U.S. Gulf.