Tropical Storm Watches are now in effect for portions of the Gulf from Louisiana east into parts of the western Florida panhandle. A Tropical Storm Watch means that there is a chance of a Tropical Storm, with winds from 39 to 73 miles per hour, hitting a specified area within 48 hours. It goes from roughly New Orleans east to coastal Alabama.
![Tropical Storm Watches In Effect Along The Gulf](https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/09/Capture-1-728x408.jpg)
This disturbance is currently located in the Bahamas and is known as PTC (Potential Tropical Cyclone) 7. As of now, it is a disorganized area of storms that is moving west. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a high chance of further development over the next 5 days as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico by late Monday.
![Tropical Storm Watches In Effect Along The Gulf](https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/09/ezgif.com-video-to-gif.gif)
Based on upper-level steering, this disturbance will track WNW into the Gulf by Monday and continue a track along the Central Gulf Coast by Tuesday and Wednesday.
![Tropical Storm Watches In Effect Along The Gulf](https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/09/ezgif.com-video-to-gif-1.gif)
While further formation is expected, the main concern at this time is still heavy rain and gusty wind. Rain will be the focus as this system brings anywhere from 4"-6" of tropical downpours by early-mid week.
![Tropical Storm Watches In Effect Along The Gulf](https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/09/ezgif.com-video-to-gif-2.gif)
This is a developing story and forecast changes are still likely so please keep checking back for updates.
Meteorologist Merry Matthews