Forecasters say a tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico will soon develop into a tropical storm later today then significantly strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by Wednesday, headed toward landfall on either the Southern Texas or Louisiana coast.
According to the NHC, the center of the system is approximately 310 miles southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande and about 535 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana. With sustained winds estimated at 50 mph, the system is moving NNW at 5 mph and expected to get more organizated later today and Tuesday with landfall expected on Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane.
Photo byNWS
The next named storm will be called Francine. In what has been a quiet season so far, residents will need to make preparations today and tomorrow. A tropical storm watch has already been issued for parts of Texas, with the expectation that hurricane watches could be issued later today for parts of the Gulf Coast.