The tropical system in the western Caribbean may not look like much yet, but don’t be fooled. History has shown the Gulf of Mexico can be a pressure cooker, turning systems like this one from wimpy windstorms to devastating monster storms almost overnight under the right conditions.

Florida's Gulf Coast is bracing for the potential of a significant hurricane landfall later this week, as a possible tropical storm that could ultimately become Hurricane Helene is organizing in the Caribbean.

Most forecast models suggest a hurricane landfall on Thursday, and experts say the storm could be at least a Category 3.

Air Force hurricane hunters investigate potential tropical cyclone Number Nine in the Caribbean about 110 miles south-soutwest of the Grand Cayman islands.

A potential tropical storm -- which would be named Helene -- is churning in the Caribbean and could take aim at the Florida Panhandle by the end of the week.