Florida Storm Debby mapped: Tropical depression warning for this weekend as Hurricane Center

Florida is on high alert as storm watches and warnings could be issued this Friday, with a tropical disturbance potentially escalating into a full-blown storm by the weekend.

The National Hurricane Center has upped the odds of a burgeoning system turning into a tropical depression to 60% within the next 48 hours and 90% across the following week as showers and thunderstorms head towards the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

"The wave is expected to move near or over Cuba throughout the day and then emerge over the Straits of Florida tonight or Saturday. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for additional development after that time, and a tropical depression is likely to form this weekend over the Straits of Florida or eastern Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Peninsula," the Hurricane Center cautions.

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Should the disturbance strengthen into a storm, achieving sustained winds of 39mph or higher, it will receive the name Storm Debby. The NOAA plans to send out a Hurricane Hunter aircraft today to scrutinize the weather pattern, reports the Mirror US .

Even if the storm doesn't fully materialize by the weekend, Floridians can still expect rough weather. The Hurricane Center alerts to "heavy rains could cause areas of flash flooding across Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas through the weekend".

This weekend into early next week, expect strong winds and the risk of coastal flooding. Fox Weather's hurricane expert Bryan Norcross has highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the tropical wave, which could range from becoming a Gulf hurricane to remaining a large wave.

"For now, we have to be ready for an extended period of rain over much of Florida, and everyone should check on their hurricane preparations just in case the system develops quickly over the warm waters of the Gulf," he advised.

Should the storm intensify, it's likely to track up Florida's West Coast, then head north and northeast, eventually re-crossing towards the Atlantic and skirting along the Carolina coastline.