The system is threatening to bring heavy rain and the risk of flash floods to the northeastern and central Gulf Coast this week, and could become a tropical depression within days.

A tropical storm watch stretches along the coast from Edisto Beach, S.C., to the South Santee River. The hurricane center said those elsewhere along the southeast coast of the United States should also keep an eye on Chantal. Chantal is expected to track slowly to the north and then northwest and move onshore in South Carolina by Sunday morning.

AccuWeather forecasters are keeping an eye an area for potential tropical development near Florida July 14-17.

A slow-developing weather system is trying to get its act together over the Southeast U.S. this Fourth of July.

AccuWeather forecasters are keeping an eye on an area close to Florida which shows some potential for tropical development July 15-18.

Tropical Depression Three formed on Friday afternoon off the coast of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. As of Friday evening, the depression had winds of 35 mph, moving slowly north at 2 mph. The storm was weak and relatively disorganized but is expected to strengthen slightly into a tropical storm this weekend.