NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tropical Storm Francine is increasing in momentum and strength in the Gulf of Mexico, and will become a hurricane on Tuesday. The forecast track shows this storm arriving in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky by Thursday morning.
The 7 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Francine had wind of 65 mph and gusts at 75 mph. The next full update, including track changes, is at 10 a.m.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for the Louisiana coastline, and tropical storm warnings stretch back over Southeast Texas and inland into Louisiana.
FORECAST: Middle Tennessee & Southern Kentucky Weather
The storm track shows Francine becoming a hurricane by Tuesday, making landfall between Lake Charles and New Orleans on Wednesday afternoon. Then, lifting northward to our region by Thursday morning into Friday.
RADAR | Track weather across TN live
When this storm arrives to our area, heavy rain and wind gusts will be the primary impacts. Another impact is tornadoes. Like what we experienced with Beryl in July, weak tornadoes are possible within the outer bands of a tropical system.