Tropical Storm Francine forms in western Gulf of Mexico

Published: Updated:
Credit: The Weather Authority

The Weather Authority is monitoring Tropical Storm Francine as it heads north over the western Gulf of Mexico and into Louisana.

A hurricane watch is now in effect for Louisiana with a life-threatening storm surge of 5 – 10 feet as the preliminary forecast from the National Hurricane Center.

According to the NHC’s 11 a.m. Monday advisory, Francine is moving north-northwest at around 5 mph, with a slow north-northwestward motion expected for the remainder of Monday.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued east of High Island, Texas, to Cameron, and from Grand Isle, Louisiana, to the mouth of the Pearl River, including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

Francine is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday before it reaches the northwestern U.S. Gulf Coast.

Hurricane and storm surge watches will likely be issued for a portion of that area later Monday, as residents are urged to ensure their hurricane plans are in place before the storm hits.

The Weather Authority has also been monitoring an area of low pressure designated as AL-92 in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

This area of low pressure is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the central tropical Atlantic, with environmental conditions appearing generally conducive for
development during the next few days.

A tropical depression is expected to form while the system meanders over the central tropical Atlantic.

By the middle of the week, the system should begin to move westward-northwestward at around 10 mph. Right now, this system looks too weak once again.

Seven days from now, it will not be a concern for Florida.

Over the next seven days, there is a 60% chance of further development.

A trough of low pressure located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

Over the next few days, this trough is expected to interact with an approaching tropical wave.

After that, environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form during the middle to the latter part of this week while the system moves west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.

The Weather Authority is watching this area closely. Later in the week, as it moves through the Central Atlantic, it could become Tropical Storm Gordon.

Over the next seven days, there is a 60% chance of further development.

Credit: The Weather Authority

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.