Tropical Depression #4 Forms SW Gulf

The National Hurricane Center classified an area of disturbed weather in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico Tropical Depression Four, Sunday afternoon.

While the storm should be short lived, it is expected to send six to 10 inches of rain with up to 15 inches possible in some areas of the Mexican states of Veracruz, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Queretaro, Hidalgo and northern Puebla.

It was moving at 8 miles per hour (13 kph) and was due to reach the Mexican shore by 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT) on Monday, just north of Veracruz, a city of more than 400,000 people.

Some slight strengthening is expected, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm tonight or early Monday. Its track, whether it takes on storm characteristics or not, appears to be short-lived.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, In this case within the next 12 to 24 hours.

The would-be Danielle is expected to produce heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding and mudslides in Mexico, the hurricane center said.

The path of Tropical Depression Four, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The tropical wave over the Southwest Gulf of Mexico has become tropical depression #4.

Meanwhile, South Florida’s forecast calls for a chance of showers and thundersorms before 8 p.m. Sunday.