"Showers and thunderstorms located over the Florida peninsula, the southeastern U.S. coast, the northwestern Bahamas, and the adjacent Atlantic and Gulf waters are associated with a broad trough of low pressure," the National Hurricane Center said.

If the storm becomes tropical later this week, it will be the first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center has made several updates to its forecast protocol and graphics in order to improve messaging, accuracy, and more advanced warning.