TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— An area of low pressure continues to move west across the Florida Panhandle as it brings rain and thunderstorms mainly south of its center, the National Hurricane Center said.

The system is expected to continue westward and could emerge or redevelop over the northeastern to north-central part of the Gulf.

The area of low pressure is expected to reach the Louisiana coast by Thursday.

“If the system moves far enough offshore, environmental conditions over the Gulf appear generally favorable for additional development,” The National Hurricane Center said.

If the system moves far enough offshore, a tropical depression could form over the next couple of days before moving inland by the end of the week.

Heavy rainfall could produce flash flooding in parts of Florida through today.

According to NHC, heavy rainfall could also produce flash flooding for parts of the north-central Gulf Coast starting today and continuing through Friday.

The chance of formation in the next 48 hours is 40 percent, and the next seven days is 40 percent.