Wet Start to Week as We Watch Marco and Laura

WET AT TIMES TODAY: Our Monday will be a mainly cloudy day with occasional rain and storms all thanks to tropical moisture associated with Tropical Storm Marco impacting the Northern Gulf Coast today.

TROPICAL STORM MARCO: At 400 AM CDT, the center of Tropical Storm Marco was located near latitude 27.6 North, longitude 88.2 West. Marco is
moving toward the northwest near 10 mph. Marco is forecast to approach the coast of Louisiana this afternoon, and then turn westward and move very close to the coast of Louisiana through Tuesday night.

Data from the Hurricane Hunter plane indicate that maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 60 mph with higher gusts. Further weakening is expected, and Marco is forecast to become a tropical depression late on Tuesday and dissipate on Wednesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles, primarily northeast of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb (29.62 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to start by this afternoon in portions of the warning area.

RAINFALL: Marco is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches across portions of the northeast and north-central Gulf coast through Tuesday. This rainfall may result in areas of flash, urban and small stream flooding along the area.

SURF: Swells generated by Marco are likely to affect portions of the northern Gulf Coast for the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

TORNADOES: A couple of tornadoes will be possible today from southeast Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle.

TROPICAL STORM LAURA: At 500 AM EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Laura was located near latitude 20.8 North, longitude 78.9 West. Laura is moving toward the west-northwest near 21 mph, and this general motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. A turn toward the northwest is forecast by Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move over the Caribbean Sea just offshore the southern coast of Cuba today, and move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday morning. Laura is then forecast to move over the central and northwestern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected, and Laura is forecast to become a hurricane by early Tuesday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 mb (29.53 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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From late Wednesday into Friday, Laura is expected to produce rainfall of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches across portions of the west-central U.S. Gulf Coast near the Texas and Louisiana border north into portions of the lower Mississippi Valley. This rainfall could cause widespread flash and
urban flooding, small streams to overflow their banks, and the possibility of some minor river flooding across this region.

SURF: Swells generated by Laura are affecting portions of Hispaniola, eastern Cuba, the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. These swells are expected to spread across central and western Cuba, the central and northwestern Bahamas, and the Florida Keys today. Please consult products from your local weather office.

TORNADOES: An isolated tornado will be possible later today into tonight across the Florida Keys.

REST OF THIS WEEK: Showers and storms will remain in the forecast tomorrow with highs close to 90°. Wednesday and Thursday are looking relatively hot and dry due to the sinking air around Laura as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico. Expect highs these days in the mid-90s. By Friday, moisture associated with Laura will surge into Alabama allow for better rain chances to end the weekend and continue into the weekend.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Tropical moisture will continue to be in place across Central Alabama even though Laura will be well away from the area. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will continue to be possible mainly during the afternoons, but a few may form earlier in the morning or persist later into the evening. Highs will be in the upper 80s to the lower 90s each day.

Stay safe!!!
Ryan