The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Sara formed in the Caribbean on Thursday and long-term forecast models show it could enter the Gulf

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.

A tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea became Tropical Storm Sara on Thursday, forecasters said, and poses no immediate threat to South Mississippi even though the storm will likely reach the Gulf of Mexico.

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.

Hurricane Rafael made landfall in western Cuba on Wednesday and has now moved on to the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Sara continues to churn in the western Caribbean, and it looks unlikely the storm will make it to the Gulf of 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.

Hurricane Rafael continues to weaken in the Gulf of Mexico and while the cyclone will not directly strike the U.S., it will bring life-threatening conditions to the Gulf Coast.

Rafael strengthened into a low-end hurricane Tuesday night as it approached the Cayman Islands in the central Caribbean Sea, the National Hurricane Center said. The rare November hurricane was expected to continue churning northwest toward western Cuba and enter the Gulf of Mexico this week,

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