The National Hurricane Center is monitoring potential Tropical Cyclone Six, which is slowly moving toward the coast with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and stronger gusts, and expects it to strengthen into Tropical Storm Francine on Monday.
Tropical storm warnings are already in effect for northeastern Mexico and southernmost Texas. Meteorologists expect Tropical Storm Francine to develop into a hurricane before finally reaching the northwestern Gulf Coast in the middle of the week.
It is still unclear where the cyclone will ultimately have its impact, but starting Tuesday night, the risk of life-threatening storm surges and destructive winds will increase in parts of Louisiana and Upper Texas.
Possible course of Tropical Cyclone 6: Check out the latest spaghetti models for potential Tropical Cyclone 6. Where is landfall expected?
What impact will potential Tropical Cyclone 6 have on Florida’s Gulf Coast? Here’s what we know.
Where is Potential Tropical Cyclone Six now?
Potential Tropical Cyclone Six is located about 305 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande and about 545 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 8 a.m. warning. Winds in the system have reached a maximum sustained speed of 50 mph as it moves north-northwest at about 5 mph.
When will Tropical Storm Francine form?
NHC forecasters expect the system to continue to develop throughout the week, with Tropical Storm Francine expected to form later Monday as it moves north-northwest.
Will Tropical Storm Francine become a hurricane?
AccuWeather predicts the storm will develop into a Category 1 hurricane.
“People in parts of Texas and Louisiana need to be prepared for torrential rain, strong wind gusts, storm surges and the possibility of tornadoes in rainbands,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said in an emailed news release Sunday. “This region has dealt with a lot of rain and flooding over the past week. With the ground already saturated, we fear an increased risk of flash flooding and trees with weakened root systems toppling in the wind as this storm makes landfall and moves inland.”
According to the latest warning, Tropical Storm Francine is expected to strengthen into a hurricane sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Will Potential Tropical Cyclone Six Hit Florida’s Gulf Coast?
Potential Tropical Cyclone Six is expected to bring heavy rainfall and the threat of significant flash flooding along the coast of extreme northeastern Mexico, as well as parts of southernmost Texas, southern Louisiana, and southern Mississippi through Thursday morning.
In the Florida Panhandle, areas west of Crestview and south of Tallahassee are expected to receive rainfall between 2 and 4 inches. The rest of the Panhandle is expected to receive rainfall between 1 and 2 inches. There is a slight chance of flash flooding across much of the Panhandle west of Tallahassee.
Wind impacts from potential Tropical Cyclone Six will be minimal; wind speeds will range between 5 and 10 miles per hour in Escambia and parts of Santa Rosa County.
Potential tropical cyclone Six spaghetti models
Special note on spaghetti models: Spaghetti models encompass a range of forecasting tools and models, and not all of them are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the four or five best performing models for its forecasts.
