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The National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical depression on Sunday that could become Hurricane Michael and take a path toward the northern Gulf Coast.
The hurricane center upgraded the system to Tropical Depression Fourteen on Sunday morning and said it could make landfall anywhere from Alabama to Florida's Big Bend as soon as Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane.
"Overall, even with the uncertainty that exists, is increasing in the Gulf Coast," the National Weather Service in Mobile said. "This is the time to be prepared, making sure your hurricane plan is up to date and ready to implement if required."
As of the last advisory, at 4 pm CDT Sunday, Tropical Depression Fourteen was located about 260 miles south-southwest of the western tip of Cuba and was moving north-northwest at 3 mph.
The depression has been expected to strengthen.
It could become a tropical storm and a hurricane by Tuesday night or Wednesday, the hurricane center said.
By then forecasters anticipate it will be nearing the northern Gulf Coast, but it's too soon to say exactly where the center will come ashore.
The hurricane center in Alabama through the Florida Panhandle to keep a close eye on the storm and have their hurricane plans in place.
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The depression is expected to turn to the next day and pick up some speed.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth and the coast of Mexico from Tulum to Cabo Catoche.
The storm could bring 3-7 inches of rain to western Cuba and 2-4 inches to the Yucatan Peninsula. The Pacific coast of Central American and Mexico, the hurricane center said, and the risk of flash flooding.
Outer rain bands from the storm could also produce 2-4 inches of rain in the Florida Keys.
Those along the northern coast of the Gulf Coast should also be prepared for heavy rain, potential storm surge and high winds.
The National Weather Service in Mobile said it would be a high risk of rip currents along Alabama and the northwest Florida beaches starting on Monday and Wednesday.
Heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge will also be possible by mid-week depending on the track of the system, forecasters said.
The hurricane center is also continuing to track Tropical Storm Leslie in the Central Atlantic.
As of 4am CDT Sunday, Leslie was located about 800 miles east-northeast of Bermuda and was moving east at 12 mph.
Leslie had winds of 60 mph and is expected to remain in the Atlantic.
