Forecasters are warning of early signs of a potential tropical cyclone developing along the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. A low-pressure system that could bring storms to Florida before moving west has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone over the next several days, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

It may or may not develop into a tropical depression, but the system will bring rains and the possibility of flooding. Here's the forecast for New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette.

Is it merely another drippy week along the Gulf Coast—or perhaps the beginning of something much more significant? With the Atlantic hurricane season cranking up, everyone is following a large area of showers and thunderstorms chugging westward from the Florida Panhandle into the Gulf of Mexico.

A disorganized low-pressure area off Florida is showing increasing chances of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm this week.

A disturbance hurricane forecasters were tracking Saturday in the Gulf of Mexico could bring heavy rains to the region next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Jennifer Berry Hawes ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up for Dispatches, a newsletter that spotlights wrongdoing around the country, to receive our stories in your inbox every week.