Potential Tropical Development Near Florida Coast

The National Hurricane Center is watching an area either side of Florida for the possibility of tropical or subtropical development over the coming Fourth of July holiday weekend, but regardless parts of the Sunshine State could be in for a stormy pattern over several days.

The Setup: A cold front will work its way into the Southeast and Florida later this week, where it will eventually stall. Sometimes when dying fronts like this stall over the waters of the Gulf and off the Southeast coast one or more areas of low pressure can develop and make an attempt at forming into a tropical or subtropical depression or storm.

(MORE: 5 Ways Tropical Storms Can Form)

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Timing And Development Chances: The NHC says this weekend is when there will be an opportunity for further development, but the chance of tropical or subtropical development is low overall at this time. That's because it's uncertain whether any organized area of low pressure will form in the area shaded below. For now, just keep up to date on the forecast for possible changes to this thinking over the next few days.

Impacts Are Expected, Regardless: There will be numerous showers and storms in and around Florida and the Southeast this week and the stalling front will add to the wet pattern late this week into the weekend. The beach forecast this holiday weekend will be touch and go, with off and on showers and storms lingering across much of the state.

Areas from the Big Bend to the Tampa Bay area could see multi-inch rainfall totals from Wednesday through Sunday.

This means many Fourth of July barbeques, beach trips and other outdoor activities in this region may need a plan B just in case.

With many people heading to the beach for the 4th of July weekend, check back often for forecast updates as we continue to track this area of possible development.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.