Storms Threaten Rain for Labor Day Weekend

Sept. 1, 2011— -- Labor Day Weekend could be the last chance sunbathers have to enjoy the beach this summer season, or it could be another wallop of wet weather if two storm systems make their way to land.

Dual storm systems are barreling toward the Gulf Coast and the East Coast as the holiday weekend approaches, threatening large waves, rainy weather, and nervous beachgoers who choose to stay home.

Katia was declared a Category 1 hurricane this morning, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The storm is not expected to hit land during the weekend, but rough weather is expected to hit the Carribbean, and Katia could make landfall in the U.S. next week, according to Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center.

In the Gulf of Mexico, a tropical disturbance that could become Tropical Storm Lee is heading for Gulf Coast beaches this weekend. Beaches from the Florida panhandle to the Texas coast could be hit with torrential flooding rainfall and at least some coastal flooding and high surf, according to Weather.com.

Click here for the ABC News Hurricane Tracker.

There have already been evacuations of some personnel from offshore oil rigs, the report said.

Feltgen said the weather in the Gulf is expected to become a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours, and potential visitors all along the Gulf Coast should keep an eye on the storm as they make their weekend plans.

"Parts of the Gulf Coast really need the rain, so it could be a godsend to some places," Feltgen said. "We want the rain but wouldn't want the winds."

Feltgen said it's too early to tell whether Katia will hit the U.S., or predict when or where it could make landfall. It is, however, expected to strengthen over the holiday weekend.