Forecasts suggested widespread rainfall totals between 2 and 4 inches, with isolated areas seeing as much as 7 inches by Tuesday evening. Authorities emphasized the risk posed by flooding, including rapidly rising waters in streams and dangerous road conditions in both cities and rural areas.

A tropical storm may form this week, bringing risks of flash flooding and strong thunderstorms from Florida to Louisiana.

Nari was a tropical storm in the North Pacific Ocean late Monday Japan time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said in its latest advisory. Typhoon season is year-round; however, most typhoons form from early July through mid-December.

At 9 a.m., Tropical Storm 08W was 408 miles south of Yokosuka Naval Base, hurtling north at 25 mph with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts. Fleet Activities Yokosuka remained in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 5 through early Tuesday afternoon.

Forecasters are warning of early signs of a potential tropical cyclone developing along the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. A low-pressure system that could bring storms to Florida before moving west has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone over the next several days, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

A disorganized low-pressure area off Florida is showing increasing chances of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm this week.

The influx of rain caused flooding in several areas including Alamance, Chatham, Moore, Orange and Person counties, according to the Citizen Times. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Monday is a NEXT Weather Alert day in the Philadelphia area for tropical downpours and an elevated flash flood risk.  As a cold front approaches the area, widespread showers and storms will develop in the afternoon,