The National Hurricane Center is expecting Tropical Storm Michael to enter the Gulf by Monday.
As of Saturday afternoon, the potential tropical cyclone was located in the northwestern Caribbean, south of the Yucatan Peninsula.
"This system is expected to produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding over portions of Central America, western Cuba, and the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico during the next couple of days," said a discussion from a NHC forecaster after initiating advisories on the system.
The extended 5-day cone does include the far-southeastern tip of Louisiana, but most of its coverage extends eastward along the Gulf Coast with a possible mid-week landfall Wednesday afternoon along the Florida panhandle.
"The system could bring storm surge, rainfall, and wind impacts to portions of the northern Gulf Coast by mid-week, although it is too soon to specify the exact location and magnitude of these impacts," the discussion concluded. "Residents in these areas should monitor the progress of this system."