A tropical threat on the Gulf Coast has a 40% chance for development into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The system, which could currently be considered a tropical rainstorm or tropical disturbance, is likely to bring heavy rain to the central Gulf Coast for days — especially to Louisiana.
The disturbance is expected to move along the coast, but the closer it stays to shore, the less chance it will have to grow into a tropical depression or storm since these weather patterns need time over water to develop, though a change to a more southerly track would give it a chance to gain steam.
A flood watch will go into effect on Wednesday afternoon for portions of Louisiana and Mississippi.
This tropical disturbance is expected to produce long duration heavy rainfall and, if it develops into a tropical storm, it would be named Dexter.
Rainfall totals are generally expected to be between 2 and 6 inches, but the National Weather Service is highlighting some localized areas expected to receive as many as 15 inches in the region.
Elsewhere, heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected on Wednesday in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey, with rainfall rates of potentially more than 2 inches per hour.
In this screen grab from a video, flooding is shown in Petersburg, Virginia, on July 13, 2025.
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A flood watch is in place for central and northern New Jersey, where 1 to 2 inches of rain could fall in a 1-to-3-hour period.
In the Midwest, flash flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes are possible in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan on Wednesday, including the cities of Chicago, Milwaukee and Green Bay.
A flood watch is already in place for Green Bay where 2 to 3 inches of rain over a short time span is forecast.
Heavy thunderstorms are also possible Wednesday night from Kansas to northern Missouri.
Source: abc news
