ORLANDO, Florida. – The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two disturbances in the Caribbean and Atlantic, including Tropical Depression 18, which is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico – known as Rafael – later this week.

Here’s the latest news on each.

Tropical Depression Track 18

Tropical Depression 18 is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Rafael Monday afternoon or night, according to the NHC. It is then expected to strengthen into a hurricane midweek as it moves toward the Gulf of Mexico, west of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The tropical system is expected to pass Jamaica Monday evening, the Cayman Islands Tuesday and approach Cuba Wednesday. It is expected to remain several hundred miles west of Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico.

Although the system is not expected to directly impact the state, central Florida is expected to feel some of its impacts this week, including gusty winds and heavy rain.

Tropical Depression 18 Spaghetti Patterns

Southwest Atlantic Disturbance

A low pressure area north of the Leeward Islands could develop in the coming days, according to the NHC.

Slow development of this system is possible as it moves westward over the southwest Atlantic.

The system has zero percent development in the next 48 hours and a 20 percent chance in the next seven days.

Patty’s Leftovers:

Briefly named, Tropical Storm Patty, originally formed as a disturbance and then strengthened into a subtropical storm.

As the system grew, it briefly became Tropical Storm Patty, but quickly dissipated over the northeast Atlantic Ocean.