Hurricane Francine, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is heading towards Louisiana.
A hurricane warning is in effect for parts of the Louisiana coast, and storm surge warnings are in place for both Texas and Louisiana.
Evacuations have been ordered in some coastal communities, and residents are preparing for flooding and heavy rains.
Previous Report:
Hurricane Francine has maintained its organization and even intensified a bit over the past six hours. While radar shows some challenges with persistent convection, the storm’s central pressure has dropped, and flight-level winds have increased. The current intensity estimate is 55 kt.
Francine is expected to accelerate northeastward over the next 24-36 hours, influenced by an approaching weather system.
Read: 2024 Hurricane Season Home Prep Essential Steps To Protect Your Home: Expert Analysis
This motion should bring the storm to the Louisiana coast on Wednesday afternoon or evening. It will then likely turn more northward, navigating between a trough and a ridge. The forecast track has shifted slightly east, and the new track is slightly left of the consensus models.
Francine has about 24 hours to strengthen over warm waters before encountering strong shear near the coast. While dry air could hinder intensification, the forecast still predicts steady to rapid strengthening, with a peak intensity of 80 kt possible. The storm is expected to weaken rapidly after landfall, and models suggest it will dissipate within 96 hours.
Key Messages
- Life-threatening storm surge: A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines. Residents should follow evacuation orders and local officials’ advice.
- Hurricane-force winds: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for portions of southern Louisiana. Preparations should be complete by tonight, as tropical storm conditions are expected to start early Wednesday.
- Heavy rainfall and flooding: Francine is expected to bring heavy rainfall and potential flash and urban flooding across multiple states through Thursday. Flash and urban flooding is also probable across the Lower Tennessee Valley and Lower Mississippi Valley Wednesday night into Friday morning.
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