Things happen fast in the tropics, and just like that we have a tropical depression that will be moving across South Florida and into the Gulf on Saturday.

For Central and South Florida, especially on the west coast of the state, this doesn’t really change much for the weekend forecast.

Those in these areas should expect off and on showers and storms, with the potential for localized flooding in some locations thanks to recent heavy rains. No real impacts beyond this are expected for the Peninsula, as the storm will be moving away as it develops.

It’s a bit of a different story for the northeast Gulf Coast. Areas from the Florida Panhandle, west to the mouth of the Mississippi, need to be watching this closely for track shifts and intensity changes over the weekend. The environment is pretty favorable for development in the eastern Gulf, with generally low wind shear and very warm water. It’s not out of the question that this becomes a hurricane, especially if it slows down a bit as expected and spends more time over the water. You’ll want to check back with us for updates through the weekend.