Good morning! Hurricane Francis is rapidly intensifying in the Gulf as it aims for the Louisiana coast. Landfall is expected later today. A tropical storm warning continues as far east as the MS?AL border. We will be on the active right side of the Francine track. Expect some torrential downpours, gusty winds and a level 2 tropical tornado threat. The rain risk continues through Friday. There even could be a few leftover showers over the weekend. Here’s my brief forecast discussion.
HURRICANE FRANCINE: Hurricane Francine is a rapidly intensifying as it aims for the Louisiana coast. Landfall is expected this afternoon. A tropical Storm Warning continues along the Alabama coast.
Alabama is on the active right side of Francine. The storm will have a significant impact on our weather, including the threat for potential flooding, a Tropical Tornado threat beginning tonight and through much of Thursday.
Gusty surface winds up to 35 mph is likely.
Expect torrential rainfall in spots. For us the Francine rainfall will be beneficial.
TODAY: Showers becoming likely. Perhaps a few thunderstorms. Wind gusts to 25 mph during the day. High 78. Rain increases tonight. Wind gusts to 30 mph. Tornado threat by late tonight. Low tonight 70. Torrential downpours by late tonight.
NEXT FEW DAYS: The biggest effect from Francine for us will be Thursday into Thursday evening. The rain risk continues through Friday. There even could be a few leftover showers over the weekend.
. ELSEWHERE IN THE TROPICS: NHC is tracking two Invests in the Tropical Atlantic. Invest 93-L has the best chance of becoming a Tropical Cyclone, The next name available is Gordon. Neither of these Invests will threaten the United States.
Thanks for reading the blog. There will be another complete Blog update and video forecast discussion tomorrow morning. This morning, everything is normal including LIVE on the Radio from 6 to 9AM on NewsTalk 93.1 – WACV. Have a nice day!
–Rich