There are two areas of interest we are watching in the Caribbean this weekend.

The first of these is near the Greater Antilles Islands, where any tropical development is unlikely as it would be challenged by another energy interest in the Caribbean.

FOLLOWING THE TROPICS: Storm center | Hurricane Guide

The other (Invest 97L) has a high chance of tropical development. We would like to see a Tropical Depression form early this week.

If the storm is named, it will be named Rafael.

There is a lot of uncertainty with this system, but some models are showing better fit over the longer term with the system turning northwest toward the Gulf.

We expect the low pressure area to rise northward across the southwestern Caribbean and bring rain to parts of Hispaniola and Cuba.

Moisture from the system will increase our rain chances Tuesday through Thursday.

Then it will probably drift into the Gulf of Mexico next weekend.

As for its route after heading towards the Gulf, conditions are not very suitable for further strengthening due to wind die-off and lower water temperatures.

We will continue to monitor the progress of these two systems.