That Caribbean disturbance that might become a tropical depression? Now they’re saying tropical storm | Hurricane Center

The Caribbean Sea weather disturbance that has been threatening for four days to form a tropical depression and enter the Gulf of Mexico now looks to be a more worrisome threat: It might grow into Tropical Storm Gamma, the National Hurricane Center said Thursday night.

Meteorologists also were monitoring a second, disorganized weather system moving over the Lesser Antilles. 

It was too soon to tell if either storm will affect Louisiana or the Gulf Coast. Here’s what the Hurricane Center said at 7 p.m.:

Disturbance No. 1

Forecasters said this storm was located just north of Honduras and was already packing winds near tropical storm force. If it stays near the northwestern Caribbean or southern Gulf of Mexico, it has a 70% chance of morphing into a tropical depression by Friday or Saturday — possibly a tropical storm. 

The five-day formation chance has increased to 80%. 

Forecasters said this system will dump heavy rains over southeastern Mexico, Central America and western Cuba, regardless of further development. 

Disturbance No. 2

This system was expected to move west at 15 to 20 mph over the next several days, bringing with it rain and gusty winds. 

Tropical development was said to be more likely when the storm reaches the central or western Caribbean by next week.

As of Thursday, forecasters gave it a 30% chance of development over the next five days. 

See the full forecast here.