Major hurricane could form in Gulf this week

Forecasters say computer models are calling for tropical formation in Caribbean, moving into the Gulf of Mexico in the next couple of days, and it could be a serious threat.

"It very well could be a major hurricane as it nears landfall Thursday," WWL TV Meteorologist Payton Malone said. "Overall, the concern level for Louisiana is decreasing, but we'll keep an eye on the system."

He says rapid intensification could lead to a named storm forming early and Wednesday, ramping up to a major hurricane before landfall on Thursday, most likely on the Florida Panhandle.

"Environmental conditions appear  favorable for further development of this system," the National Hurricane Center posted. "The system is forecast to move generally northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and interests along the northern and northeastern Gulf Coast should also closely monitor the progress of this system."

The NHC has upgraded the system to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine .

The initial cone of potential landfall stretched from the central west coast of the Florida Peninsula to the western Florida Panhandle.