May 15 (UPI) -- A low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico has a low chance of forming into a tropical or subtropical cyclone, the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday.
The system is producing widespread cloudiness, showers and thunderstorms across much of Florida, southeastern Georgia and a good portion of the Bahamas. But it has become less likely the system could develop into any sort of cyclone -- including a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane, the center said.
If it were to defy forecasters' expectations, the system would become the first such storm of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, though the season doesn't formally start until June 1, the Weather Channel reported.
"This system has not become any better organized since yesterday and conditions are becoming even less favorable for subtropical or tropical cyclone formation," the NHC said in an 8 a.m. update.
Heavy rain will fall across portions of the Southeast and Florida over the next several days. Flash flooding is possible throughout the week.
Much of Florida can expect at least 1 to 3 inches of rain, with as much as 3 to 7 inches likely in portions of southeastern and eastern Florida.
The rainfall is much needed across parts of Florida, as well as areas in South Carolina and Georgia, where drought conditions have lingered in recent months.
More than 26 percent of Florida is experiencing drought conditions. Miami had 0.37 inches of rain in February, 1.88 inches below average for the month, and only 0.19 inches in March, 3 inches below the average.