National Hurricane Center forecasters keeping their eye on disturbance in Gulf of Mexico

MIAMI - Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are keeping their eye on a low pressure system located in the north-central Gulf of Mexico east of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The disturbance is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity mostly to the south and southwest of the center of circulation.

The system is drifting south-southwestward between five and ten miles per hour.

Forecasters say upper-level winds are expected to be only marginally conducive for development of the system during the next couple of days. The National Hurricane Center is giving the low a 50 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours.

An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is currently scheduled to investigate the system Thursday afternoon. The flight may be canceled if the low weakens.