"While the exact track and intensity of the feature unfolding in the gulf have yet to be determined, Florida will bear the brunt this time around," AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. "At this time, the intensity will range from a sprawling tropical rainstorm to perhaps a strike from a more compact, full-blown hurricane."

Odds are back up that a system developing in the Gulf of Mexico could become a tropical depression or storm before it makes its way to Florida next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Whether it strengthens into a tropical system or not, Florida is poised to see heavy rain starting early next week.

Leslie had winds of 40 miles per hour as it became a tropical storm in the Atlantic late Wednesday. Forecasters expect it to become a hurricane in a couple of days as it slowly moves northwest, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory.

Forecasters say Leslie has strengthened into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean and isn’t threatening land MIAMI — Leslie has strengthened into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean and isn’t threatening land,

The National Hurricane Center said Thursday Tropical Storm Leslie is likely to become a hurricane within the next couple of days.