Southwestern Gulf (AL98): Recent geostationary and microwave satellite imagery indicates that shower and thunderstorm activity is showing some signs of organization with a small area of low pressure located over the southwestern Gulf. An earlier Air Force reconnaissance mission found that the system lacks a well-defined low-level circulation. The low is forecast to move west-northwestward to northwestward across the western Gulf during the next day or so, and environmental conditions appear generally favorable for further development. A tropical depression could form before this system moves inland over northeastern Mexico or southern Texas by late Friday. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall is possible along portions of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas over the next few days. Another Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system Friday morning. * Formation chance through 48 hours…medium…50 percent. * Formation chance through 7 days…medium…50 percent.