As tropical activity in the Atlantic Ocean quiets down again, attention is shifting back to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, where the National Hurricane Center is now officially monitoring the area for tropical development.

As tropical activity in the Atlantic Ocean quiets down again, attention is shifting back to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, where the National Hurricane Center is now officially monitoring the area for tropical development.

An area of low pressure is expected to slowly develop this weekend in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. It could develop into a tropical depression late this weekend or early next week as it moves into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. As of Thursday at 2 a.m., the NHC has placed a 40% chance for tropical development in the next seven days.

The system could pick up enough strength to become a tropical depression during the early to middle part of next week as it slides into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said.

A potential disturbance in the Caribbean Sea is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center to see if it develops into a tropical system on its way toward the Gulf of Mexico.