The National Hurricane Center said July 15 it is continuing to track a system off the coast of Florida that could soon become a tropical depression.

The National Hurricane Center thinks a tropical depression could form in the Gulf in a few days. Forecasters continued to track an area of low pressure that was in the western Atlantic Ocean just east of the Florida peninsula on Tuesday. It is expected to move westward, across the Sunshine State, and into the Gulf by Wednesday.

A system was detected off the Atlantic Coast of Florida and is expected to move into the northern Gulf Coast and develop into a tropical depression.

Heavy rainfall will produce torrential rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour across Florida, leading to flooding in some areas, with local totals possibly reaching double digits.

A disturbance thundering across Florida will reach the northeastern Gulf by Wednesday, forecasters said, drenching South Mississippi with rain that could lead to flash flooding.

Central Florida to experience heavy rain and storms with potential for a tropical depression and lightning, as predicted by NWS Melbourne FL.

Forecasts suggested widespread rainfall totals between 2 and 4 inches, with isolated areas seeing as much as 7 inches by Tuesday evening. Authorities emphasized the risk posed by flooding, including rapidly rising waters in streams and dangerous road conditions in both cities and rural areas.

A disorganized low-pressure area off Florida is showing increasing chances of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm this week.