Sometimes, as we know from last year, Gulf storms don't give much warning before they hit.

The season's fifth tropical depression has formed in the Gulf, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Now that the depression has a center of circulation we need to follow it closely, as the models still bring the system very near to the Houston metro area by Tuesday morning. Although the depression now appears somewhat ragged, my guess is that it will become a tropical storm some time tonight or early tomorrow, with further strengthening possible.