There’s a growing chance that an area meteorologists are monitoring in the tropics could develop into a storm around the southeastern United States. If the system comes to fruition, heavy rain, gusty winds and rip currents could hit Florida, coastal Georgia and the Carolinas into the holiday weekend.

Forecasters are watching an area around Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coasts for tropical development during the July 4 weekend.

The National Hurricane Center increased its odds that a tropical system could develop near Florida late this week or early next week as forecasters expect a wet July 4 weekend for South Florida.