Odds have dropped that a tropical storm or hurricane will develop in the Gulf of Mexico, but forecasters said the system is likely to carry a lot of rainfall to Florida next week.

An area of low pressure in the Gulf of Mexico could bring several inches of rain to parts of Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, by early next week.

Chief Meteorologist Tom Terry said a piece of former Pacific Tropical Depression 11 is forecast to shift north over Mexico and into the southwestern Gulf. This will give it a chance to form once again,