HOLT, Fla., July 19—The latest outlook from the National Hurricane Center this morning bumped up Invest 91’s chances for development to 80 percent.

Recent wind data and surface observations indicate the area of low pressure is slowly becoming better defined.

A tropical depression is likely to form later today or tomorrow, according to the NHC.

Tropical storm watches or warnings could be issued later today for portions of the Florida panhandle and the Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts.

This system is expected to bring heavy rains to portions of the northern Gulf coast during the next several days, according to the forecast.

As a result, scattered storms are expected each afternoon into the evening today through mid week with gusty winds being the primary threat, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile.

An Air Force Reserve mission by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters is scheduled to investigate the system this afternoon.

Staff and National Hurricane Center forecast