Low pressure area forms near Gulf of Mexico: NHC | Hurricane Center

A widespread low pressure area is expected to form over the southwestern Caribbean Sea near the Gulf of Mexico later this week, bringing heavy rains to parts of Central America, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Meteorologists said Monday afternoon that further development could be possible if the system remains afloat as it moves west-northwest toward Central America. Separately, NHC forecasters said rain was likely in parts of Central America later this week.

As of 1 p.m., there was only a 20% chance of the disturbance developing into a tropical depression or storm within the next week.

Disturbance west of Africa

A low pressure area between Cabo Verde and the Lesser Antilles could develop later this week as it moves west toward warmer waters, NHC forecasters said Monday afternoon. Development was hampered by dry air on Monday, but forecasters said a tropical depression could form late this week as the system approaches the Leeward Islands.

As of 1 p.m., there was a 60 percent chance of the system forming within the next week.

Jay Grymes, a state climatologist at the LSU AgCenter, said Monday morning that the latest hurricane “spaghetti” models indicate the disturbance is unlikely to reach the Gulf of Mexico. However, it is still too early to say with certainty where the direct effects of the system will be felt.

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