A newly formed depression in the Caribbean could enter the Gulf of Mexico as Tropical Sara next week, potentially reducing the chances it could pose a threat to Florida later in the week.

The 18th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane was likely to flood parts of Central America and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula over the coming days.

Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday, a storm that's predicted to intensify into a hurricane and threaten the Gulf Coast this weekend.

Tropical Depression 18 is expected to develop into a hurricane this week as it moves northwest across the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico. National Weather Service Lake Charles Storm Warning Coordinator Doug Cramer said once the system moves into the Gulf Coast it is expected to weaken.

The National Hurricane Center forecasts Tropical Storm Sara could get into the Gulf of Mexico after swamping Central America and crossing over Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center has designated an area of low pressure in the Caribbean as “Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen,” and forecasts it will strengthen into a tropical storm within the next 24 hours.