A tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico could bring a lot of rain to the Florida peninsula, according to meteorologists.

The National Hurricane Center on Friday raised the chance of development to medium, or 40 percent, and said a tropical or subtropical depression or storm could develop next week if it remains separated from a frontal boundary in the area.

The hurricane center also tracked powerful Hurricane Kirk and Tropical Storm Leslie far away in the Atlantic.

None of these storms are expected to directly impact the United States, but waves generated by Kirk could lead to rough seas, coastal flooding and deadly rip currents along the U.S. East Coast as well as in Bermuda.

GULF OF MEXICO

The Gulf system is of most concern as rescue and cleanup efforts are still underway in the Southeast following devastating Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida on September 26th.

Forecasters say the new system may not become a hurricane but could spread more rain across the Florida peninsula. The hurricane center said the hurricane is expected to move east or northeast into the Gulf over the weekend.

A frontal boundary is expected to be placed over part of the Gulf during this time, with which the disturbance could mix. When this happens, you are less likely to experience depression.

However, if it stays away from the front lines, it might have a chance to develop a bit further.

Here are the precipitation outlook for the next seven days:

It is not expected to pose a threat to coastal Alabama and should remain south of the state.

ELSEWHERE IN THE ATLANTIC

The hurricane center continued to track Hurricane Kirk in the central Atlantic. As of Friday morning, Kirk was 975 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands and moving northwest at a speed of 12 miles per hour.

Kirk had winds of 140 miles per hour, making it a Category 4 hurricane. Peak winds at Kirk were 145 mph. The hurricane center expects Kirk to gradually weaken Saturday.

Southeast of Kirk, Tropical Storm Leslie strengthened and could also become a hurricane but poses no threat of landfall.

As of Friday morning, Leslie was 1,075 miles west-southwest of the southernmost island of Cabo Verde and moving west-northwest.

Leslie had winds of 65 mph, the hurricane center said, and could become a hurricane tonight or Saturday.

Leslie could remain a hurricane at least through Wednesday and reach Category 2 intensity, the hurricane center said.

So far this season there have been seven hurricanes out of a total of twelve named storms.

The last day of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will be November 30th.