ORLANDO, Fla. _ The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical system with increased odds of formation that's projected to pass over Florida, the center said in its 8 p.m. update Wednesday.
The system over Mexico is a broad area of low pressure with a 60% chance of developing into a tropical depression over the next two to five days, the NHC said.
If it does become a tropical depression, it could then develop further into a tropical storm once it gains maximum sustained winds of 39 mph, and would then receive the name "Nestor."
Shower and thunderstorm activity over the Bay of Campeche increased on Wednesday.
"This system is forecast to move northward and then northeastward across the western and central Gulf of Mexico during the next couple of days and it could become a tropical or subtropical cyclone during that time," the National Hurricane Center said. "Regardless of development, the low could produce gusty winds and rough surf when it nears the northern Gulf Coast on Friday and Saturday."
The system's northeasterly movement puts it on a path to pass over northern Florida.
Meteorologists expect the system to produce gusty winds and heavy showers along the northern Gulf Coast on Friday and Saturday. Rainfall in the U.S. Northeast also is possible.
Also, the hurricane center was monitoring Tropical Depression 15, which was about 90 miles north of the Cabo Verde Islands, until it dissipated Wednesday morning, the NHC said.
