Tropical Depression Nine just formed in the Gulf and is forecast to become the first hurricane of the season. It is expected to steadily strengthen with peak intensity up to Category 2.

Eyeing landfall along the Gulf Coast Friday-early Saturday. Tropical impacts will span from the Florida Panhandle through Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

Currently, it has winds of 35 mph and is slowly moving east in the SW Gulf. It will turn NE/north Thursday into Friday, and accelerate towards the Gulf Coast as upper steering pick the system up.

The storm will be lopsided with the worst of the weather east of the storm’s center. Strong shear & dry air could likely help weaken the storm ahead of landfall, but those from the FL Panhandle to Louisiana should be prepping for a hurricane.