Newly formed tropical system expected to become Hurricane Delta before hitting United States

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A newly formed tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea could hit Louisiana as a hurricane later this week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Depression 26 formed Sunday night just south of Jamaica. It currently has sustained winds of 35 miles per hour.

The system is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm later Monday. At that point, it would become Tropical Storm Delta.

The forecast shows Delta moving into the Gulf of Mexico around Tuesday night or Wednesday. Around that same time, it is expected to strengthen into a hurricane.

The forecast has the storm reaching Category 2 strength ahead of arriving somewhere between the Louisiana-Texas border and the Florida Panhandle.

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In addition to the expected development of Tropical Storm 26, Tropical Storm Gamma is currently in the Gulf of Mexico.

It is located just north of the Yucatan Peninsula. Gamma is expected to pretty much remain stationary for the next several days–meaning it will dump a lot of rain on the northern Yucatan Peninsula.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Gamma could bring heavy rainfall “that could result in significant flash flooding.

Stay up to date on the local forecast here.