Tropical Storm Bonnie expected in Caribbean, while another system churns in Gulf

Bonnie poses no threat to Louisiana. However, a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to bring heavy rain and higher tides to Texas and Louisiana, forecasters said.

The Gulf disturbance, called Invest 95L, is showing signs of organization and has the potential to become a short-lived tropical depression, forecasters said.

Rainfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour are possible through Saturday across south Louisiana, according to the National Weather Service in Slidell. Some areas may experience street flooding from the heavy rainfall.

The National Hurricane Center also is tracking another disturbance in the Atlantic.

The shaded area on the graphic is where a storm could develop and is not a track. The National Hurricane Center releases a track when a tropical depression forms or is about to form.

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Here's what to know about the tropics as of 10 a.m. Thursday from the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical storm to form

The system in the Caribbean is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bonnie later in the day, hurricane forecasters said Thursday morning.

It is not expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico and does not pose a threat to Louisiana.

As of 10 a.m., the system was about 660 miles east of Bluefields, Nicaragua, and was moving west at 20 mph. It has winds of 40 mph, and some strengthening is expected through Friday while it slows down over water, forecasters said.

The disturbance has tropical-storm-force winds, but it has not organized into a tropical storm yet.

It's forecast to make landfall Friday as a tropical storm in Nicaragua and then move west until it emerges over the Pacific, where it is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane.

The system is expected to bring heavy rains to parts of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Watches and warnings are in effect. See the full advisory.

Disturbance in Gulf

A system is showing limited signs of organization, forecasters said Thursday morning. It is expected to turn north later in the day and moving slowly inland over southeastern Texas.

Slow development is possible while the system is over water, forecasters said.

Related: Record heat in Gulf could be extra threat during hurricane season

The system has a 40% chance of developing into a tropical depression within 48 hours.

Regardless of development, heavy rain is possible in parts of Texas for the next two days, forecasters said. Increased rain chances are also likely in Louisiana.

System in Atlantic

Forecasters are tracking another disturbance in the Atlantic that's producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

As of 7 a.m., it was several hundred miles east of the Windward Islands.

Slow development is possible while it moves northwest at 15 mph across the Atlantic. It's expected to reach the Caribbean by the weekend, where forecasters say further development is unlikely.

The system has a 10% chance of developing into at least a tropical depression within five days.

Read the full outlook.

Tips to prepare

Now is the time to review hurricane plans and make sure your property is ready for hurricane season. Here are some tips from the National Weather Service for how to prepare for the season:

Put together an emergency kit.Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators and storm shutters.Before an emergency happens, make a plan with your family or close friends and decide how you will get in touch and where you will go if there's an emergency.Plan your evacuation route and have an alternate route.Review your insurance policies.Keep your trees around your home trimmed to prevent damage from broken branches.Have materials in advance to board windows to protect them from flying debris.

See more tips.

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