A well-developed tropical wave currently bringing strong winds and rough seas north of Puerto Rico could develop into a tropical system by the weekend.

According to AccuWeather.com hurricane meteorologist Dan Kottlowski, there is high potential for this tropical wave to evolve into a tropical depression later on this week.

Wind shear is currently hindering any tropical storm organization of this system. However, as the wave moves swiftly west, this shear will diminish over the next few days.

If the wave were to develop into a tropical storm, models predict the system moving into the eastern Gulf of Mexico by the weekend.

The oil spill area over the Gulf of Mexico could be threatened this weekend by enhanced thunderstorms, rough seas and gusty winds.

Oil containment booms are rendered useless in rough seas, and skimming vessel operation have the potential to be delayed.

[ ACCUWEATHER ]