Two tropical depressions could impact the gulf states next week

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Officials with the National Hurricane Center are closely monitoring two systems that could impact central Mississippi within the next week.

Tropical depression 13 is expected to become a tropical storm later Thursday as it continues to strengthen. As the storm moves northward toward the Gulf of Mexico, it is expected to dump between three and six inches of rain over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands this weekend.

Tropical depression 14 is expected to strengthen over the northwestern Caribbean Sea through Saturday. The system could be near hurricane strength Saturday when it reaches the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. The system is projected to move into the Gulf at some point Sunday. 

It is too early to forecast either of these storms as far as intensity or area of impact past the next 72 hours, but both will be monitored for developing activity.