Caribbean, Gulf Potential Tropical Storm Development Tracked By National Hurricane Center

A​ tropical storm could possibly form in the northwest Caribbean or southern Gulf of Mexico next week, but details on its potential intensity, track and timing remain uncertain. Interests along the entire U.S. Gulf Coast should continue to monitor the situation closely and stay updated on how the forecast unfolds in the days ahead.

The area to watch: The National Hurricane Center has outlined an area between Cuba and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula for the possible formation of a tropical depression or storm in the next seven days. At this time, there is no system to track in this region.

What could happen by early next week is that a broad area of low pressure forms in association with what's called the Central American Gyre, giving rise to increasingly stormy weather. We have seen an uptick in thunderstorm activity over Central America and the western Caribbean late this week, which could be the first step toward that gyre forming.

When a tropical storm could develop: The middle of next week is when the window opens for the possible formation of a tropical depression or storm in the northwest Caribbean or southern Gulf from this broad area of low pressure. The next storm name is Helene.

For that to happen, the broader low would need to spin off a more well-defined low-pressure system with persistent shower and thunderstorm activity. This typically happens over the course of multiple days after a gyre forms.

If a storm forms, here's where it might track: This possible storm could track north or northeast toward the U.S. Gulf Coast or northwest toward the Yucatan Peninsula and then the southwest Gulf.

The greater the influence from that jet stream, the more likely the system would get drawn north toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. If it has less of an influence, then the system might move northwest toward the Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the southwest Gulf, possibly stalling for a time, with its future track beyond that point uncertain.

T​he timing of any potential U.S. impact might not be until at the earliest late next week or beyond.

Could it become a hurricane? It's certainly possible. Oceanic heat content is one favorable ingredient for intensification, and the map below shows there is plenty of deep, warm water in the northwest Caribbean and parts of the Gulf of Mexico.

But there are other factors that also matter, like whether or not the upper-level wind pattern is favorable for strengthening. It’s also unknown if any nearby dry air or land interaction, such as with Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, could be hindrances to intensification.

F​or now, interests along the U.S. Gulf Coast should monitor the situation closely while also making sure hurricane preparedness plans are in place. Check back with us at weather.com and The Weather Channel app for updates through the weekend and beyond as we fill in more details on what to expect.

Chris Dolce has been a senior meteorologist with weather.com for over 10 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.