Tropics outlook

Tropical Depression Erin, 11 p.m. Friday

OUTLOOK: Despite an uphill battle against dry air and cooler waters, Tropical Storm Erin was reborn late Friday but still is forecast to become a tropical depression over the next five days as it moves north into the Atlantic.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean disturbance has moved into the Gulf of Mexico and could strengthen into a depression or storm over the weekend. It's expected to make landfall somewhere between mainland Mexico and Louisiana either on Sunday or Monday.

WHAT FLORIDA CAN EXPECT: It's unlikely that Tropical Storm Erin will pose a threat to Florida or the U.S. coast. Moisture from the Caribbean disturbance still is spreading clouds over the state.

PARTICULARS: Erin could degenerate into a "remnant low" sooner than five days, as indicated by some models, hurricane specialist John Cangialosi of the National Hurricane Center said. As the fifth named storm, Erin puts the 2013 season about two weeks ahead of schedule, as the fifth system on average arises on Aug. 31.

LOCATION: 715 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands

STRENGTH: 40 mph sustained winds

MOVEMENT: Northwest at 16 mph

OTHER SYSTEMS: At 11 p.m. the disturbance in the Gulf was given a 40 percent - or medium - chance of developing over the next two days. The next tropical storm will be named Fernand.