A flood watch will go into effect for much of south Louisiana later this week as a slow-moving low-pressure system heads toward the Gulf of Mexico, bringing with it the potential for downpours and flash flooding along the Gulf Coast.

A disorganized low-pressure area off Florida is showing increasing chances of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm this week.

The National Hurricane Center thinks a tropical depression could form in the Gulf in a few days. Forecasters continued to track an area of low pressure that was in the western Atlantic Ocean just east of the Florida peninsula on Tuesday. It is expected to move westward, across the Sunshine State, and into the Gulf by Wednesday.

Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Tuesday after data showed a smaller than expected rise in core U.S. inflation and talks between Washington and major trading partners continued.

A new disturbance in the Gulf is expected to bring rain and the potential for flash flooding to parts of Florida in the coming days.

Prepare for rain, New Orleans. A low pressure system headed for the Gulf of Mexico is expected to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds to south Louisiana later this week, though just how much of each to expect is still in question.

Forecasters are warning of early signs of a potential tropical cyclone developing along the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. A low-pressure system that could bring storms to Florida before moving west has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone over the next several days, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

With a potential tropical depression in the Gulf and heavy rain in the forecast, all of us at the USA TODAY Network are dedicated to doing everything we can to keep you informed.