There's a chance first tropical storm of season will form this weekend

Retired National Weather Service meteorlogist Jim Lushine says there is a system that could possibly become a subtropical or tropical storm as soon as this weekend.

But Lushine, who is also keeping a close eye on movements of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, thinks the Atlantic system could be headed in the direction of the border between Florida and Georgia. WPTV Storm Team Meteorologist Keenan Smith also sees it possibly forming by the end of the weekend or early next week.According to Smith, "Several reliable forecast models show a disturbance forming north of Hispaniola over the next several days. Typically, early season systems start in the Caribbean and are heavy rain producers. Water temperatures near Hispaniola are right around 80 degrees, which is important for tropical development.