( CNN ) -- A tropical weather system has moved into the Atlantic from the Caribbean and is near the southeastern Bahamas , according to the National Hurricane Center . But the chance the system will become a tropical depression or storm is somewhat less than before . The center now says the system has a `` medium '' chance of developing into a depression or storm over the next two days . It puts the odds at 40 percent . It 's still causing drenching rain and gusty winds for several hundred miles to the east , affecting the Virgin Islands , Puerto Rico , Haiti and the Dominican Republic . The severe weather will probably spread over the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos during the next couple of days , possibly causing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in mountainous areas , the forecast said . And as the system moves generally westward , at 10 to 15 miles an hour , a big question is how it will affect efforts to contain the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico . CNN Meteorologist Sean Morris says forecast models show the tropical wave moving into the Bahamas and across southern Florida this weekend and then re-emerging in the northeastern Gulf . U.S. and BP officials are contemplating trying to permanently seal the crippled well by pumping mud into it through a technique called `` static kill , '' but the timing could be influenced by what the weather does . Bad weather could send ships at the well site back to shore . It also could disrupt booms intended to keep the oil from reaching shore and send skimming ships that collect oil on the surface back to port . Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen , who 's in charge of the U.S. effort , says that if the system becomes a storm , containment and work on a relief well , considered the permanent solution , could be thrown off schedule anywhere from 10 to 14 days . Meanwhile , Caribbean islands have been coping with a deluge of rain . Melina Simeonides , a spokeswoman for Puerto Rico Emergency Management , said the weather forced some road closures . Video from CNN 's Univision affiliate in the U.S. territory showed streets overwhelmed by rushing water and some giant sinkholes . CNN 'S Jackie Castillo contributed to this report .
NEW : Forecasters lower odds of weather system developing into storm . Weather system moves into Atlantic from Atlantic . Questions loom about impact on work on Hispaniola oil well . Puerto Rico , The Virgin Islands and BP have been getting heavy rains .