New disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico being monitored for possible tropical development

MIAMI — A broad disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico is now being monitored for potential tropical development.

According to the National Hurricane Center, a trough of low pressure is currently producing a large but disorganized area of thunderstorms along and just offshore the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

ATLANTIC AWAKENS WITH 2 TROPICAL DISTURBANCES BEIGN TRACKED AS HURRICANE SEASON NEARS PEAK

With little in the way of winds to steer the system, storms are expected to meander near the coast through much of next week. But some slow tropical development is possible if the system remains offshore over the warm Gulf of Mexico waters, according to the NHC.

Right now, the NHC is only giving low odds of development into at least a tropical depression within the next week. The agency warned that regardless of tropical development, heavy rains could cause flash flooding along portions of the Louisiana and upper Texas coasts over the next few days.

Rainfall totals could reach 5-8 inches through the Labor Day weekend in those areas, with isolated spots approaching a foot of rain.

Updates to follow soon.