While Tropical Depression Nine's maximum winds held steady at 35 miles per hour Friday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center said further strengthening is expected once the system moves into a lower wind shear environment and a tropical storm could form by Friday night or Saturday.
The next name on the list is Ian after Tropical Storm Hermine formed off the coast of Africa.
A hurricane watch was issued for the Cayman Islands and a tropical storm watch was placed on Jamaica.
The system is expected to reach hurricane strength by Monday on its approach towards the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Residents in Florida are being urged to prepare for the possibility of a major category 3 hurricane making landfall by mid-week, though the National Hurricane Center notes some uncertainty remains over the storm's track after it enters the Gulf.
For now, there is no immediate threat to Louisiana.