A tropical system expected to develop over the weekend in the Gulf of Mexico is likely to drench much of Florida early next week, according to state weather forecasters.
The system, currently a low pressure area accompanied by thunderstorms in the Caribbean Sea, is expected to cross the Yucatan Peninsula over the weekend and then head northeast toward Florida.
It appears the state should prepare to be hit by a large, disorganized storm on Monday and Tuesday, said Robert Garcia, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami. The storm could drop more than 2 inches of rain in Southwest Florida and could be accompanied by winds well above 20 knots.