"Showers and thunderstorms located over the Florida peninsula, the southeastern U.S. coast, the northwestern Bahamas, and the adjacent Atlantic and Gulf waters are associated with a broad trough of low pressure," the National Hurricane Center said.

If the storm becomes tropical later this week, it will be the first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center has made several updates to its forecast protocol and graphics in order to improve messaging, accuracy, and more advanced warning.

The dust from Africa spreads across the Atlantic during the early part of each hurricane season. Some of it is now reaching Florida.

A giant plume of Saharan dust is expected to arrive in Florida this week. Here's what to expect in Sarasota, Bradenton and Manatee County.