Tropical Depression Nicholas was located early Wednesday afternoon over southwest Louisiana, about 30 miles northeast of Lake Charles. The depression was moving toward the east-northeast near 5 mph and this motion is expected to slow through the next 24 hours before a gradual turn to the north prior to dissipation. The remnants of Nicholas are expected to produce additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches across the central Gulf coast in central to southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Friday, with isolated storm totals of 10 inches possible.

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is keeping a close watch on three other potential tropical systems.

The first system is located a few  hundred miles northeast of the central Bahamas. Here, satellite images indicate a low pressure system is gradually becoming better defined. However, the associated showers and thunderstorms are still disorganized. Environmental conditions are expected to become more conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next day or two while the system moves north-northwestward to northward off the southeast U.S. coast. Regardless of development, this system could bring high surf to portions of the southeast and mid-Atlantic U.S. coasts later this week.  The Air Force Hurricane Hunters are enroute to investigate the disturbance further. NHC forecasters are giving this system a high chance (70 percent chance) for tropical development over the next two days.

The second system is located a few hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Here, showers and thunderstorms have changed little in organization in association with an area of low pressure. Environmental conditions are expected to remain conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form within the next couple of  days.  This system is expected to move westward to west-northwestward across the tropical Atlantic during the next several days. NHC forecasters are giving this system a 90 percent chance for tropical development over the next 5 days.

And finally, a tropical wave is expected to emerge off the west coast of Africa in a day or two. Thereafter, environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for development while the system moves generally west-northwestward to northwestward over the far eastern Atlantic. NHC forecasters rae giving this system a slight chance (20 percent chance) for tropical development over the next 5 days.

Bob