A tropical depression is nearing the U.S. Gulf Coast, bringing concerns for storm surge, heavy rainfall, and strong winds throughout the week. As of Monday afternoon, the depression was located approximately 105 miles south of Panama City, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. Predictions from the U.S. National Hurricane Center indicate a gradual strengthening to a tropical storm.

The depression is moving northwest at about 3 mph, potentially approaching or reaching the northern Gulf Coast over the next several days. A storm surge watch extends from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama-Florida border, accompanied by a tropical storm watch reaching from the Ochlockonee River in Florida to southeastern Louisiana’s Jefferson and Plaquemines parish line.

The New Orleans National Weather Service predicts storm conditions may affect areas from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana by Tuesday. Wind gusts could reach 40 mph. A storm surge watch poses a threat along the Alabama, Mississippi, and southeastern Louisiana coastlines. Possible storm surges of up to four feet may impact parts of Louisiana and Mississippi.

“There is potential for isolated tornadoes in the Florida Big Bend region,” warned the hurricane center.

Flash flooding risks persist through Friday from western Florida to middle Texas, with rainfall reaching 3 to 5 inches along Louisiana’s coastline. Areas south of Lake Pontchartrain might experience higher precipitation levels.

In the eastern Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Fausto is strengthening near hurricane status but remains distant from land. On Monday, Fausto’s maximum sustained winds were 70 mph, located about 745 miles southwest of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. The storm moves northwest at 10 mph, without threatening land.