BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) - We are keeping an eye on a disturbance in the Caribbean. This disturbance became Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen over the weekend. The latest update at 9 a.m. from the National Hurricane Center stated that it is now Tropical Depression Eighteen. It has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and is moving north at 9 mph. Tropical Depression Eighteen will likely become a tropical storm over the next few hours as it continues moving north and passes near Jamaica. It may become a Category 1 hurricane around the middle of this week as it moves near Cuba. Multiple factors will determine if the system reaches us and its potential strength. There is some drier air over the Gulf of Mexico and enough wind shear over the Gulf to help this system weaken once it reaches the Gulf. Severe storm watches issued for Jamaica and Caymans, Patty becomes a tropical storm near Azores That's why there is still some uncertainty. This system could weaken as soon as it reaches the Gulf or it could still maintain strength as a tropical storm or low end Category 1 hurricane. Landfall still doesn't look too likely because it might weaken or dissipate before it reaches Louisiana. For now, prepare for maybe a tropical storm or just more rain and breezy winds this weekend. There's not a big level of concern at this time, but we are also not completely writing it off. We’ll see how all these variables interact with each other as we head into the middle and the end of this week. Stay tuned for updates. Latest News 5 women accused of prostitution at Denham Springs hotels, police say LSU vs. Alabama in Baton Rouge: Game time, how to watch Election 2024: Who is running for mayor-president in East Baton Rouge Parish? Baton Rouge man convicted in drug trafficking case sentenced to 260 months 1 shot after argument on Boardwalk Drive in Baton Rouge, police say