Marco downgraded to Tropical Storm, still eyes Louisiana coastline; Laura over eastern Cuba

Tropical Storm Laura formed Friday morning. With the 11 p.m. update, Southwest Florida is still out of the cone and the max sustained winds increased to 65 MPH and movement is to the west-northwest at 21 MPH.

The cone takes Laura near the east coast of Cuba Sunday night, then into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by Monday night, well southwest of the WINK viewing area. After Laura passes Southwest Florida on Monday, it’s expected to continue intensifying, with landfall expected along the Texas or Louisiana coastline late Wednesday into early Thursday as a possible category 2 hurricane.

Southwest Florida is in good shape! If this forecast holds, we’re looking at minimal impacts Monday into early Tuesday. Expect wind gusts between 25 – 40 mph and rainfall totals between 1.0″ – 2.0″.

Hurricane Marco formed Sunday afternoon, then as of the Sunday11 PM update, has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm. Hurricane Hunters have found Marco with maximum sustained wind of 70 mph, with its movement to the north-northwest at 12 mph. Marco is expected to have a landfall in Louisiana sometime Monday evening into early Tuesday morning.

Otherwise the tropics are quiet.

Still, this is something we will need to monitor over the weekend. For now, stay calm, stay weather aware, and you can trust WINK News to keep you updated!